Provenance
Christie's Amsterdam, 14 March 1984, 'Fine And Important Late Ming And Transitional Porcelain, Recently Recovered from an Asian Vessel in the South China Sea. Property of Captain Michael Hatcher', lot 196 (sold as a lot of six). (see added scan)
Marc Michot, Bruges.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 2002 and accompanied by a copy of their certificate of authenticity. (see added scan)
Description
Thinly potted with gently flaring sides rising from a short tapering foot, the exterior is decorated in underglaze blue with circular landscape medallions depicting pavilions, rockwork and trees, alternating with delicately reticulated linglong panels of geometric latticework. The lower body is encircled by a band of stylised lotus petals, while the rim is bordered by a finely painted diaper pattern. The interior is left plain beneath a clear glaze, accentuating the remarkable translucency of the porcelain body.
Bowls and cups of this type formed part of the cargo recovered from the Hatcher Wreck, the Dutch East India Company ship lost in the South China Sea around 1643–1644. Their presence aboard the vessel confirms that such wares were produced in considerable quantities for the export market. VOC records further demonstrate their popularity in the Dutch Republic. A memorandum sent by the Gentlemen Seventeen (Heren XVII) to Batavia on 12 April 1638 lists among the most desirable wares “2,000 pieces… being a cup cut through, with roundels painted beautifully on the outside,” almost certainly referring to vessels of this type. Earlier correspondence from Governor-General Jacques Specx in 1634 already mentions doorluchtich (“see-through” or “cut-through”) porcelain, while an order placed in Formosa in 1643 distinguishes between “half cut through” and “wholly cut through” cups.
Literature:
Katharine Butler and Teresa Canepa, 'Leaping the Dragon Gate: The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-century Chinese Porcelain', pp. 137-138, fig. III.1.117 for an identical example.
Jorge Welsh Books, 'Linglong', pp. 13-25, for a discussion by Teresa Canepa on the 'linglong' technique.
Colin Sheaf, Richard Kilburn, 'The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record'.
Lot 41
Transitional period
Dia.: 9 cm - H.: 5 cm
Estimation
€ 2.000,00 – € 4.000,00
Provenance
Christie's Amsterdam, 14 March 1984, 'Fine And Important Late Ming And Transitional Porcelain, Recently Recovered from an Asian Vessel in the South China Sea. Property of Captain Michael Hatcher', lot 196 (sold as a lot of six). (see added scan)
Marc Michot, Bruges.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 2002 and accompanied by a copy of their certificate of authenticity. (see added scan)