Description:
Chinese export porcelain flared teacup decorated with strong colors in green, iron red, black, and gilding. The outside bowl is decorated en grisaille (or encre de chine or ink color) with a carp against grisaille seaweed and two iron red carp against grisaille seaweed separated by sprigs of iron red flower blossoms and green leaves. 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. 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. Top of lip has gilt swags, abstract blossoms, and leaves edged in black. Inside lip has double line of black enamel.
Subjects:
Pottery; Enamel and enameling; glaze (coating by location); polychrome; Porcelain Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+61.087 |
