Style: Silver, Ceramics, Furniture
Style: Silver, Ceramics, Furniture
A MINTONS SALMON- AND CHOCOLATE-GROUND PÂTE-SUR-PÂTE MOON FLASK 1873
Auction Closed
April 16, 08:57 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT NEW YORK COLLECTION
A MINTONS SALMON- AND CHOCOLATE-GROUND PÂTE-SUR-PÂTE MOON FLASK
1873
decorated at the center on one side in white slip with a festive scene of Chinese boys playing music and on the other with Chinese precious objects, crowned MINTONS mark, impressed MINTONS, incised date cypher for 1873, impressed numeral 1664
height 12¾ in.
32.3 cm
This rare decoration type incorporating Chinese boys appears to be adapted from the well known Chinese compositions of 'five boys' or 'hundred boys' evident on various Chinese porcelain wares or vases. Scenes of Chinese boys at play, which may appear at first glance as leisurely compositions, are in fact filled with symbolic meanings. Indeed the five or hundred Chinese boys performing festive activities represent the sons of the scholar, Dou Yujun, or the emperor, Zhou Wenwang. The symbolism in these imageries suggest the abundance of sons and continuation of the family line as well as the wish that the generations of these families celebrate success in the imperial examinations.