Description:
One of a pair of Chinese export porcelain covered urns (see HD 84.057) with pistol handles, decorated in brown, black, orange, and gold. According to Howard and Ayers, this shape has a remarkedly long history, having been traced back to designs by Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) when he was working for Ferdinand II de Medici (1610–1670), Grand Duke of Tuscany (1621–1670). These designs were first published in England by Israel Sylvester (1621-1691); the prints in the third edition published by the London print dealer and map seller Robert Sayer (1725-1794) were faithfully reproduced by Wedgwood. It was from a Wedgwood model that the Chinese produced their earlier version about 1790. The pistol handles, moulded reliefwork and marbled base are common to all the Chinese version, which were produced for every country then engaged in trade with China. The subject of the oval medallion varied from one order to another." The center front, oval medallion on this example has a landscape scene in sepia with a tall tree in the foreground and building in the background, surrounded by a gold band decorated with running grape vine; over a gilt swag. The pineapple finial on the cover and fluted handles are gilded; the square base is painted to simulate beige marble.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+84.058 |
