Porcelain from the Jingdezhen kilns 景德鎮窯, Jiangxi Province 江西省, Qing dynasty 清代 (1644-1911).
The Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione 郎世寧 (1688-1766) enjoyed considerable influence at the court of Emperor Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795) and left his mark on the ceramic design of the period. As a result, it became fashionable to treat decorative motifs in the European manner, leading to a certain exoticism in the representation of men with beards and women with plunging décolletés – an endless source of fascination to the Chinese.
Pair of “famille rose” bowls with flowering peach and lingzhi fungus design 粉彩桃花與靈芝紋碗一對
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1929-592 and CB-CC-1929-593
This decoration conveys wishes for a long life combined with those appropriate to a birthday.“Famille rose” bowl (one of a pair) with flowering peach and lingzhi fungus design 粉彩桃花與靈芝紋大碗
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1930-590“Famille rose” dish with Prunus and bamboo design 粉彩梅花與竹紋大盤
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1936-596
A poem accompanies the main decoration here: 數枝橫翠竹, 一夜遶朱 “Branches mingle with kingfisher-green bamboo, stretching up by night as far as the vermilion balustrade”.“Famille rose” vase with egret and lotus design 粉彩鷺鷥臥蓮紋瓶
Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-CC-1930-605
The verses near the shoulder read: 介如君子徳, 韻似美人粧 ”Steadfast as a sage’s virtue, nuanced as a beauty’s bloom”. The decoration refers to the incorruptibility expected of an official.“Famille verte” cup with a pair of mandarin ducks on a lotus pond 康熙五彩鴛鴦與蓮花紋小碗
Mark and reign of Kangxi 康熙 (1662-1722)
CB-CC-1964-674
The poem on the outside reads: 根是泥中玉，心承露下珠: “Its roots are like jade, unsullied by mud/like pearls the dewdrops caught on its heart-shaped leaves”. This cup is one of a set of twelve representing the flowers of the months of the year; the lotus corresponds to the sixth month of the lunar calendar.“Famille rose” cup with chrysanthemum and Buddha’s hand citron design 粉彩菊花與佛手紋小碗
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1934-600
The poem included in the composition reads: 也教蘆蓼遠依行 “Let the reeds and persicaria accompany my distant wanderings”. Pieces with marks encased in a peach were made for a royal birthday.“Famille rose” bowl with flowers and insects 粉彩花與蟲紋碗
Mark and reign of Yongzheng 雍正 (1723-1735)
CB-CC-1929-599“Famille rose” vase with flower motifs 粉彩花紋瓶
Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-CC-1936-638Snuff bottle with “famille rose” enamels 粉彩紋鼻煙壺
Reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795), Imperial Palace workshop
CB-TA-1932-553
Decoration showing children playing in a garden. It appears likely that a set of snuff bottles, all with similar decoration, were manufactured at Guangzhou (Canton), probably for Emperor Qianlong or a member of his family.Snuff bottle with a painting of European women on enamel 粉彩紋鼻煙壺
Mark of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-TA-1964-556Dish enamelled with European figures 粉彩洋人紋盤
Mark and reign of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795)
CB-CC-1935-608
The subject matter and style are strongly influenced by the European painterly tradition. The use of shading to build up a three-dimensional effect in the figures would have been a source of wonder to contemporary Chinese eyes.Miniature bottle enamelled in the European style with a pattern of children playing in a garden 粉彩小瓶
Mark of Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-1795), probably 20th c.
CB-CC-1935-609
The composition is accompanied by an inscription, reading: 枝生無限月，花滿自然秋 “The branches seem lit by a moon that never wanes; the flowers abound in autumn”.