Rare flasque en porcelaine de Chine bleue et blanche à monture, couvercle et bouchon en vermeil par Balthasar Haydt, Augsbourg, 1655, la porcelaine, période de transition, vers 1630-1640

peinte sous glaçure d'oiseaux, bambous et pivoines, les montures ciselées à l'embouchure de pêcheurs et animaux dan sun cadre de campagne, la prise du bouchon en forme d'oiseaux enlacés sur une branche, poinçons sur l'embouchure et le couvercle et le pied




the vase underglaze painted with birds, bamboo and peonies, engraved at the neck mount with fishing figures and animals in a country setting, stopper surmounted by billing birds on a branch, marked on cover, neck and foot

Previously sold Sothebys New York, 21 October 1997, lot 113

tiny scratch to white part of ceramic, silver gilt mounts in remarquably good condition, very small points of gilding loss but overall gilding is in very good condition, marks are very good and clear, an exceptional piece marked on cover, neck and foot poinçons sur le couvercle, l'embouchure et le pied
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La porcelaine de Chine, particulièrement recherchée pour sa nature exotique et sa préciosité, fut montée par les Européens de métaux précieux dès le XIVe siècle jusqu'au XVIIe siècle, date à laquelle ce pot fut monté. Louis XIV (1638-1715) par exemple prenait son bouillon du matin dans un bol en porcelaine de Chine "`tres fine...garnye par le pied d'un cercle d'or et par le costez de deux ances de serpentes tortillez, aussi d'or".

Johann Heinrich Zedler dans son Universallexicon , publié à Lepizig en 1736, définit ainsi le mot Flasche. Il s'agit d'une flasque avec un bouchon et un couvercle dévissable, réalisée en verre, grès, porcelaine, étain ou métal précieux, soit à facettes ou bien encore de forme balustre, bien que plus rare car plus difficile à tenir, dont le but était de contenir et préserver des liquides et notamment du vin.

Although Chinese porcelain had been fitted with precious metal mounts in Europe since at least the 14^th century, reflecting the material's value and exotic nature, by the mid 17^th century when this jar was embellished, it was still a courtly fashion. Louis XIV (1638-1715) for example took the morning cup of bouillon which comprised his breakfast from a bowl of Chinese porcelain `tres fine...garnye par le pied d'un cercle d'or et par le costez de deux ances de serpentes tortillez, aussi d'or'.
Johann Heinrich Zedler in his  Universallexicon , published in Leipzig from 1736, describes the meaning of the word Flasche. This was a flask with a screw top and stopper made from a number of materials including glass, stoneware, pewter or precious metal, either faceted, or more rarely baluster because harder to hold, whose purpose was to store and preserve liquids including wine.
Modern thinking however associates canisters with tea, which in this case is suggested by the Chinese porcelain body, and possibly by the engraved flower on the stopper. When this jar was made into a canister, tea was in the earliest stage of import into Europe