Dishes
MakerMade by
Unknown
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumDrape-molded Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue. Dish .1 is also gilded.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width x depth of .1): 7 3/4 x 6 1/8in. (19.7 x 15.6cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .2): 6 5/8 x 4 7/8in. (16.8 x 12.4cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1434.1-.2
DescriptionPair of Chinese export porcelain dishes; the dishes are a type of Chinese export porcelain known as Nankingware. Each dish is shaped like a leaf, with a semi-circular stem and a flared rim with an undulating edge. Each dish is hand-painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a landscape. The landscape shows a Chinese structure in the center with a person crossing a bridge in the foreground. The bridge crosses a river that runs through the landscape. There are islands, hills, trees, and houses in the distance.
Dish (.1): The landscape on the first dish is surrounded by a band of gilding and a plain blue border. This is surrounded by a field of white, then a second series of borders at the flared and undulating rim. The first border is the "Nanking" border, which is a pattern of short lines alternating between a thin line with a dot at either end and a thin line with an arrowhead at one end. This is surrounded by a band of gilding, then a band of blue with darker blue lines painted over. These lines cross each other to create a diamond, or lattice, patterned border. Finally, there is a band of gilding at the outer edge of the rim. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the dish. The gilding is worn at the edges of the rim, and light scratches on the surface of the ceramic have acquired dirt.
Dish (.2): The landscape on the second dish is surrounded by a plain blue border. This is surrounded by a field of white, then a second series of borders at the flared rim. The first border is the "Nanking" border, which is surrounded by a band of blue with darker blue lines painted over. These lines cross each other to create a diamond, or lattice, patterned border. The outer edge of the rim is left plain. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the dish. The corners and outer edge of the rim have scratches which have acquired dirt. The rim at the tip of the leaf and the base of the stem is chipped.
Dish (.1): The landscape on the first dish is surrounded by a band of gilding and a plain blue border. This is surrounded by a field of white, then a second series of borders at the flared and undulating rim. The first border is the "Nanking" border, which is a pattern of short lines alternating between a thin line with a dot at either end and a thin line with an arrowhead at one end. This is surrounded by a band of gilding, then a band of blue with darker blue lines painted over. These lines cross each other to create a diamond, or lattice, patterned border. Finally, there is a band of gilding at the outer edge of the rim. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the dish. The gilding is worn at the edges of the rim, and light scratches on the surface of the ceramic have acquired dirt.
Dish (.2): The landscape on the second dish is surrounded by a plain blue border. This is surrounded by a field of white, then a second series of borders at the flared rim. The first border is the "Nanking" border, which is surrounded by a band of blue with darker blue lines painted over. These lines cross each other to create a diamond, or lattice, patterned border. The outer edge of the rim is left plain. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the dish. The corners and outer edge of the rim have scratches which have acquired dirt. The rim at the tip of the leaf and the base of the stem is chipped.
Status
Not on view
