Provenance
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 24 June 2017, lot 982. (sold EUR 5.200,00) (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)
Description
The globular body rising from a faceted foot to a broad mouth, set with a slender S-shaped spout and a square loop handle with rounded corners, the domed cover surmounted by a knop finial, painted in vibrant underglaze blue in the traditional kraak manner with dark outlines and shaded washes, the body divided into shaped panels enclosing figures in a garden landscape alternating with large flowering plants, the shoulder and cover with further decorative borders of geometric and scroll motifs.
While many kraak wine pots are decorated exclusively with floral motifs, the present example is distinguished by the inclusion of figures within the principal reserves. Such examples are comparatively uncommon and belong to a smaller group painted in the more traditional late Ming style, employing strong cobalt outlines filled with graduated washes of colour.
The original function of these vessels remains a subject of discussion. In China they were most likely intended for serving warmed rice wine, although they may also have been used for hot water in the preparation of powdered tea. Their purpose in Europe is less certain. Tea was only introduced to Europe in very limited quantities during the early seventeenth century and did not become widely consumed until much later. It is therefore possible that such vessels served a primarily decorative role in European interiors. Nevertheless, documentary evidence from the archives of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) records substantial imports of wine pots, suggesting that they were both appreciated and regularly traded throughout the seventeenth century.
Literature:
Maura Rinaldi, 'A Chinese blue and white kraak porcelain wine pot and cover', pp. 182-184 for a further discussion and pl. 237 for an identical example.
J. Ayers, R. Krahl, 'Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul. Yuan and Ming Dynasty Porcelains', vol. II, p. 757, no. 1401, for an identical example.
Lot 108
Wanli
L.: 16,7 cm - H.: 19,3 cm
Estimation
€ 2.500,00 – € 5.000,00
Provenance
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 24 June 2017, lot 982. (sold EUR 5.200,00) (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)