cup BM-Franks.891

Period:Qing dynasty Production date:1700-1720 (circa)
Materials:porcelain, blanc de chine,
Technique:moulded, glazed, painted,

Dimensions:Height: 7 centimetres

Description:
Chinese porcelain cup, painted in Holland. The octagonal cup is moulded in relief with eight small figures representing the Eight Daoist Immortals, and with two ranks of lotus petals below. The base is impressed with a Chinese seal mark giving the name of the potter, reading ‘Zhongtun shi’ (Mr. Zhongtun). The figures are overpainted and have been turned into ‘chinoiserie’ figures, standing in different attitudes, wearing different hats and green, aubergine and blue garments; they are surrounded by stylized flower motifs reserved on an overall red ground, and the lotus petals below are painted with small sprigs on a green ground, or in a pale red. A red scroll border was added to the inside rim and the foot.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall and Krahl 1994:The cup was made at Dehua, Fujian province, and is a characteristic product of the late Kangxi period (1662-1722). The painting was added in Holland. Since the Chinese immortals had not come out very clearly in the moulding, they could easily be adapted to vaguely Chinese-looking figures of Western taste.