Description:
Chinese export porcelain teacup, made for the Continental market, decorated in blue, red, green, yellow, purple, brown, and black with a landscape scene with a putto-like head holding a mask to the side of his face watching a young shepherd kneeling before a seated shepherdess. It has been suggested, but there is no confirmation, that the scene was based on a drawing by Francesco Albini (1578-1660), who was popular with 17th and 18th century English and Dutch collectors; presumably based on an engraving, this must be a second or third hand copy that has lost much of its original meaning. Since there is a halo over the shepherd's head, the design has been identified as religious, possibly representing the Annunciation with an angel appearing before Mary (although she was not a shepherdess), or an angel telling a shepherd of the birth of the Messiah (although this traditionally took place at night). Others have thought that it is more likely from a mythological source. Hervouet and Bruneau suggest that it is Apollo, who during his exile on earth as a penace for killing the Cyclopes, served as a groom and herdsman for King Admetus of Pherae; under the eyes of Love he courts a charming mortal, possibly Alcestis, daughter of King Pelias.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+66.012 |
