Description:
Chinese export porcelain circular teacup with a shallow bowl molded with faint ribs and an applied footrim, decorated in blue with the "Canton" pattern, one of a collection of 28 pieces (1 teapot, 2 jugs with covers, 1 soap dish with cover, 1 stand, 4 coffee cups, 5 teacups, 9 saucers, and 5 plates) in the Canton, FitzHugh, and Nanking patterns. "Canton ware" was the most popular and plentiful pattern in Chinese export porcelain for the American market; there are 14 pieces of Canton at Mount Vernon believed to have been used by George and Martha Washington. First produced in the late 18th century, this pattern is still being manufactured in China today. The central decoration of the Canton pattern, which is also known as the "willow," "island," or "island-and-bridge" design, is defined by an aquatic landscape, featuring a river, three-arch bridge, islands, willow and pine trees, rocks, boats, clouds, and a figure in a teahouse; the border usually has slashed scalloping, known to collectors as a "rain and cloud" border. There are many variations using boats, buildings, people, etc.; the borders also vary considerably. The pattern's lack of complexity meant that enamelers could complete the design quickly, making it inexpensive in comparison to the Nanking and Fitzhugh patterns. Canton ware was made in Jingdezhen and shipped by water 600 miles south to the port of Canton. It served as ship ballast, loaded in the hold to form a platform on which tea, silks, etc. could be stored safely from bilge water; the average vessel carried from 200-250 boxes of porcelain. From the beginning, Canton has been produced in various qualities from finely rendered to pitted, coarse, and sloppily decorated, and in different shades of blue. For such commonplace and popular ware, dating pieces of Canton without a family history is notoriously difficult. The interior of the cup has a dark blue border with slashes, over another border of opposing slashes (herringbone pattern), and suggestion of leaves in the base of the cup; the exterior has an aquatic Chinese landscape of two pagodas a bridge, some boats, and rocks.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2006.18.7 |
