Saltcellar
MakerMade by
Unknown
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumDrape-molded Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 1 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 2 3/4in. (3.2 x 9.2 x 7cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
DescriptionOval, drape-molded Chinese export porcelain saltcellar with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration; the saltcellar is a type of Chinese export porcelain known as Nankingware. The top of the saltcellar has a small Chinese landscape hand-painted inside the indentation intended to hold salt. The landscape shows two Chinese structures by a river, with trees and a bridge in the foreground and mountains in the distance. Two small figures are standing on the bridge. The landscape is surrounded by a border of scrolled lines. Three borders circle the vertical sides of the saltcellar. First is the "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of lines alternating between a thin line with a dot at either end and a thin line with an arrowhead at one end. Next is a blue border with darker blue lines creating a diamond, or lattice, pattern inside. These two borders are interrupted at regular intervals by four scrolled lines with clusters of circles and dots inside. The final border, at the foot of the saltcellar, is a single line of circles with dots inside.
Object number1945.1.1409
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