Page 187 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-564-565 (C-4V-418)
Reticulated Perfume Ball
with Stand

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famille jaune enamels on the biscuit,
1942.6.564 (ball): 9.9 x 11.1 (3% x 4%)
15
1942.9.565 (stand): 7.5 x 9.5 (2 /i6 x 3%)
Widener Collection

TECHNICAL NOTES
The coin-shaped lid at the top is missing and that at the
bottom has been fired onto the ball. The interior is unglazed.
The separate stand has an unglazed base.

PROVENANCE
}. Pierpont Morgan [1837-1913], New York, by 1904. (Duveen
Brothers, New York and London); sold 1915 to Peter A. B.
Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheri-
tance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power
of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
T A THILE OBJECTS OF THIS TYPE are known as perfume
W V V balls (xiang qiu\ their original function is not pre-

cisely known. Bushell, describing a related example in
the collection of the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, stat-
ed that they were designed to be filled with fragrant
dried flowers, such as jasmine. 1
This example, decorated in famille jaune enamels, is
reticulated with a honeycomb pattern with large open-
ings. The four large roundels on the sides are encircled by
green lines. The roundels contain floral sprays of
chrysanthemums and camellias. The top of the stand is
covered with a transparent enamel, around which is a
dark green chevron pattern. Below this are finely execut-
ed yellow and green diaper bands. The sides of the legs
are painted in aubergine to resemble grained wood.
The clear disparity in quality between the ball and
the stand suggests that although both date to the
Kangxi period, the two pieces were not originally
designed as a unit.
SL

NOTES
i. Bushell 1980, 412, no. 308.

REFERENCES
1904-1911 Morgan: i: 114, no. 747, pi. 40.

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