Description:
Chinese export procelain saucer (HD 2010.8.7.2) decorated in underglaze blue with Neptune holding his trident and standing on two dolphins accompanied by frolicking nymphs and tritons, one of whom is blowing a horn. The scene is based on a drawing by the Dutch painter and printmaker Abraham Bloemaert (1564/6-1651) of Neptune holding his trident and calming the waves after a storm caused by Juno (the theme taken from Book I of Virgil's Aeneid), which was engraved by Abraham's son, Frederick Bloemaert (1610-1669). The rim has a diaper band used in the Chinese repertoire of border designs for c.1755-1775, which followed the coarser trellis design popular since the 1740's.

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2010.8.7.2

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