Sauce Tureen
MakerMade by
Unknown
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumMold-formed Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth): 6 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 5 1/2in. (15.9 x 21.6 x 14cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1415a-b
DescriptionOval, Chinese export porcelain sauce tureen (.a) and lid (.b) with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue in the Fitzhugh pattern. The Fitzhugh pattern, found both sides of the tureen, consists of four groups of flowers spaced evenly around a circular central medallion. The central medallion is a circular floral arrangement surrounded by a blue border consisting of a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond pattern inside. At four points, this border is interrupted by an area with a small white animal (possibly a dog). The central panel is surrounded by a "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of lines alternating between a line with a dot at either end and a line with an arrowhead at one end. There are two borders at the foot of the tureen below the Fitzhugh pattern, beginning with the "Nanking" border. Below the "Nanking" border is a final band of blue, with darker lines creating a diamond, or lattice, pattern inside. Two handles have been molded and applied to the body of the tureen, then painted blue. The lid is also decorated with the Fitzhugh pattern, with the "Nanking" border and a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond, or lattice, pattern at the rim. Instead of the circular central medallion described above, the lid has a molded and applied finial over a raised, blue leaf decoration in the center of the Fitzhugh pattern. The finial is an oval organic shape that was probably formed in two parts. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as dark dots and lines in the surface of the sauce tureen and lid.
Status
Not on view
