Soup Tureen
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1880
MediumDrape-molded Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth): 8 3/4 x 13 x 8 1/2in. (22.2 x 33 x 21.6cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
DescriptionRectangular, Chinese export porcelain soup tureen and lid with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration. The tureen and lid were most likely not created as a set, as the character and quality of their decoration are different. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots and gouges on the tureen and lid.
Tureen (.a): A Chinese landscape appears on the outside of the two longer sides of the tureen. The landscape shows a house or pagoda on a rocky island with trees. Small ships are on the river in the foreground. The foot of the tureen has a border with varied geometric patterns. Two molded handles in the shape of boars heads have been applied to the ends of the tureen. A long hairline crack runs halfway around the inside of the tureen, parallel to the foot. One of the ears on one of the boars' head handles is missing.
Lid (.b): A Chinese landscape appears on the top of the lid, with a molded and applied finial in the middle. The landscape shows a willow tree with a Chinese structure to the right and a bridge in the foreground. A river with a Chinese junk runs through the landscape, with houses, hills, and mountains in the distance. The central landscape is surrounded by a series of borders. The landscape is surrounded by a field of white and then a "Canton" border, consisting of a scalloped line with parallel lines of hatching running inside. The "Canton" border is surrounded by another line of blue with darker blue lines creating a pattern of diamonds and stars inside.
Tureen (.a): A Chinese landscape appears on the outside of the two longer sides of the tureen. The landscape shows a house or pagoda on a rocky island with trees. Small ships are on the river in the foreground. The foot of the tureen has a border with varied geometric patterns. Two molded handles in the shape of boars heads have been applied to the ends of the tureen. A long hairline crack runs halfway around the inside of the tureen, parallel to the foot. One of the ears on one of the boars' head handles is missing.
Lid (.b): A Chinese landscape appears on the top of the lid, with a molded and applied finial in the middle. The landscape shows a willow tree with a Chinese structure to the right and a bridge in the foreground. A river with a Chinese junk runs through the landscape, with houses, hills, and mountains in the distance. The central landscape is surrounded by a series of borders. The landscape is surrounded by a field of white and then a "Canton" border, consisting of a scalloped line with parallel lines of hatching running inside. The "Canton" border is surrounded by another line of blue with darker blue lines creating a pattern of diamonds and stars inside.
Object number1945.1.1508a-b
InscribedRed and white paper label applied over a long hairline crack in the tureen reads "DAMAGED/ The article to which this/ label was attached was in a/ damaged condition prio[letters missing]/ to packing or handling".Subject Terms
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