Important Americana

Important Americana

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 1902. TWO LARGE CHINESE EXPORT 'TOBACCO LEAF' PATTERN TUREENS, COVERS AND TWO STANDS, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1785 | 清乾隆 約1785年 粉彩花卉紋湯蓋盌及托盤兩件.

TWO LARGE CHINESE EXPORT 'TOBACCO LEAF' PATTERN TUREENS, COVERS AND TWO STANDS, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1785 | 清乾隆 約1785年 粉彩花卉紋湯蓋盌及托盤兩件

Auction Closed

January 26, 08:38 PM GMT

Estimate

25,000 - 35,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

TWO LARGE CHINESE EXPORT 'TOBACCO LEAF' PATTERN TUREENS, COVERS AND TWO STANDS

QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1785


清乾隆 約1785年 粉彩花卉紋湯蓋盌及托盤兩件


each of oval form with scalloped rims, molded with lotus-pod form handles, painted in the center with a large yellow and puce flower, surrounded by large turquoise, yellow and blue tobacco leaves, the cover surmounted with a finger citron-form knop and similarly decorated, as well as the stands

length of tureen 14¾ in.; 37.4 cm

As one of the most recognizable patterns in Chinese export art, the 'Tobacco Leaf' pattern was an immensely popular design during the late 18th century for wares destined for Europe. A plate is illustrated in H. A. Crosby Forbes, Yang-ts'ai: The Foreign Colors, Milton, Massachusetts, 1982, p. 26, cat. no. 20, as well as on the cover. The author notes that the tobacco plant was actually unknown in Asia during the late 18th century, and the "leaves actually resemble those of the anona, custard apple", and the "large main flower resembles a species of the passion-flower vine". The elaborate nature of the pattern meant that the 'Tobacco Leaf' services were among one of the more costly pieces to produce. The author notes that there are also approximately fifteen different variations of the pattern known, and the present examples with the large yellow leaf and the delicately painted central flower are the most characteristic.