CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN 'SWIMMING FISH' TEA WARE c1800

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CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN 'SWIMMING FISH' TEA WARE c1800

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Sold Date: 06/16/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

A matching set of seven Chinese export blue & white porcelain saucers and tea bowls, decorated with 'crab & perch' pattern, early 19th century, c.1800

description:

On offer is this exquisite set of seven Chinese porcelain saucers and three bowls, ornately hand decorated under glaze in blue on milky white. These objects are elaborately decorated with patterns of swimming fish within geometrical borders, suggesting sea weed, surrounding a single crab pattern. The bowls gave a crab on their inside base, and a continuous scenery of swimming fish on the outside. The back rims of the little plates are decorated with flower branches. Underneath their bases these small plates bear a sacred fungus symbol mark within concentric circles. The bowls are marked alike. With only minimal decoration varieties, this can certainly be called a matching set.

The bowls and saucers are generally in excellent condition. Some saucer dishes have some minute rim chips (hardly noticeable en needing to be mentioned for accuracy), but no hairlines or repairs. The seven tea bowls are also in attractive condition. Three of them have a fleabite sized rim chip, t are no other damages, repairs or hairlines. This is a very attractive set which displays nicely. Please view the pictures, which give a good impression of the wonderful quality and the outstanding condition of the objects.

This fine set of tea ware was made in China in the early 19th century and is possibly dating to the Yiaqing era (1796-1820. Popular patterns like this 'crab & perch' pattern were produced during many decades, because of the European demand for them, so it is difficult to date them exactly. Oriental porcelain was imported to Holland by the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC), which had special trading privileges to China and Japan. It is known that the Chinese factories reserved their best quality porcelain for export, thus meeting the European taste. The wealthy Dutch merchants were fond of the subtle oriental porcelain and large quantities were shipped to Holland in the 17th and 18th centuries. Although manufactured to be used, most of this Oriental porcelain was displayed in special China cabinets in distinguished houses. This group originates from a Dutch private estate.

The small plates measure 5 1/4 inches (135 mm ) across. The tea bowls stand 50 mm (2 inches) high, measuring about 83 mm across. Please note that the display stands visible on a picture are not included in this auction. I guarantee age (early 19th century) and authenticity of these highly decorative collector's items.

Shipping and payment: Costs of shipping will be on account of buyer and will be kept as low as possible. Overseas shipping (outside Europe) costs will be $ 36. 00 by registered priority mail (needs to be signed for). Inland and European mail will be less. Personal or cashiers checks will be charged extra. Insurance is optional at 2% of the final value. USA and Asia: I prefer PayPal. Eurozone and inland: direct European IBAN/BIC bank transfer. I always pack very carefully and will ship within 24 hours after receipt of payment. Please view my other auctions for similar objects. I will be happy to combine shipments at lower costs. Have a look at my current offers of fine antiques and collectibles: www.haffmansantiek.nl . Please e-mail me for further information: