Decorative

A LARGE RARE AND IMPORTANT 'BLANC DE ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 17TH CENTURY from Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period, Circa 1680 - 1700, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

A Large Rare and Important ''Blanc de Chine'' Blue and White Tripod Censer circa 1680 - 1700 Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period, Circa 1680 - 1700. The Kangxi Blanc de Chine censer is ''Published and Illustrated'' ''An exceptionally large (28.5cm) and rare ''Blanc de Chine'' tripod censer, Kangxi Period, Circa 1680. Decorated in the ''Master of the Rocks'' style with scholars in a landscape. Ex-Peter and Mary White Collection.''\n\nThe impressively sized censer is robustly potted with a compressed globular body rising to a wide, flared ''everted'' rim, all supported by three short ruyi-form tripod feet. The exterior is masterfully decorated in vibrant tones of underglaze cobalt blue. The body features three large, lobed cartouches depicting a classic ''Scholar in a Landscape'' motif. One panel shows a seated dignitary in contemplation beneath a gnarled pine tree; the other portrays a figure amidst dramatic, jagged rockwork---a style famously associated with the ''Master of the Rocks...'' school of painting. The cartouches are set against a dense, meticulously painted ''honeycomb'' diaper-pattern ground. The neck is finished with a refined band of geometric ''r-shaped'' thunder patterns (leiwen) and decorative dots, typical of the high-quality output of the Kangxi era. The glaze is of a characteristic ''Blanc de Chine'' quality---thick, lustrous, and possessing a warm, ivory-white tone that provides a soft contrast to the crisp blue decoration. Probably made for a high ranking official or a wealthy scholar- patron due to its size. Temple grade censer.\n\nCondition: Excellent antique condition; showing characteristic 17th-century firing imperfections including minor glaze pulling and iron-spot oxidation (burnt orange patches) under the glaze, consistent with period kiln conditions. No structural restoration or post-production damage.

— Details

Reference

SA1200925

Origin

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period, Circa 1680 - 1700

Period

17TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 28.5cm

Rarity

High

Provenance

The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London; The Peter and Mary White Collection Acquired in 2000 (collector''s notes). Published and Illustrated: M. White, Living at the Whites'' House: Ceramics from the Mary and Peter White Collection, vol.4, n.p, 2023, p.117. An incense burner of similar decoration, 1650-1700, is illustrated by P.J. Donnelly, Blanc De Chine, London, 1969, plate 136A.

Condition

Excellent — see description