Description:
Chinese export porcelain teacup with a rounded ovoid shape decorated en grisaille (or encre de chine or ink color) with seaweed and abstract flowers and iron red around the outside of the bowl; four iron red carp with gilt scales and black fins and details swim in different directions among the seaweed. Chinese enamelers developed ink-color decoration as a method of reproducing print images on porcelain for the western market. Dominated by black enamels and washes, ink-color decoration was first produced in the 1730s and remained popular throughout the 18th century. Often period documents refer to this decoration as "pencil'd," reflecting its use of fine brush strokes and black color. Handleless teacups with carp decoration was a popular subject for Chinese export porcelain made for the Continental market; the carp symbolized wealth and profit as the word for carp "li" sounds like the word for profit. It also represents the scholar's struggle for knowledge and success in passing examinations. The interior center has three abstract iron-red and gilt flowers springing from grisaille sprigs; the lip has a border of iron-red diaper trellis with four cartouches with grisaille and red blossoms followed by an iron red narrow band.
Subjects:
Pottery; Enamel and enameling; glaze (coating by location); Porcelain Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+60.199.1 |
