Sauceboats
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1810
MediumMold-formed Chinese export porcelain with overglaze gilding and orange enamel
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth of .10): 3 5/8 x 6 5/8 x 3 3/4in. (9.2 x 16.8 x 9.5cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width x depth of .11): 3 3/4 x 6 5/8 x 3 5/8in. (9.5 x 16.8 x 9.2cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1396.10-.11
DescriptionPair of Chinese export porcelain sauceboats with overglaze hand-painted orange enamel decoration in the Fitzhugh pattern. Each sauceboat sits on a round foot with slightly swelled sides that rise up to form a straight rim. One side of each sauceboat swells forward to form the spout; opposite this, a molded handle is applied to the body of the porcelain. The Fitzhugh pattern consists of four groups of flowers and emblems, or geometric shapes, evenly spaced around a central circular medallion. This central medallion is a circular floral arrangement surrounded by a border consisting of a band of orange with darker lines creating a latticework, or diaper, pattern inside. At four points, this border is interrupted by an area of white with a small orange animal (possibly a dog). This is surrounded by a "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of lines that alternate between having an orange dot at either end or having an arrow pointing toward the central panel. On each sauceboat, the central panel is hand-painted below the spout, with two panels of flowers on either side. An elaborate border is hand-painted on the inside edge of each sauceboat's rim, composed of geometric shapes, insects, and flowers on a field of orange enamel. There is a line of gilding at the rim, and abstract, hand-painted gilded decoration on each handle. The gilding at the rim of each sauceboat is worn slightly. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots or lines in the surface of the ceramic.
Museum records indicate that each sauceboat is supposed to be paired with a saucer. The saucers could not be located at the time of cataloging.
Museum records indicate that each sauceboat is supposed to be paired with a saucer. The saucers could not be located at the time of cataloging.
Status
Not on view
