Page 227 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-563 (C-416)
Wine Ewer

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with overglaze famille verte enamels,
33.0 (with lid) x 17.8 (13 x 7)
Widener Collection

TECHNICAL NOTES
The ewer has a wide, sharply trimmed foot-ring. The recessed
base is covered with a thin colorless enamel wash. The repaired
tip of the spout has some overpainting.

PROVENANCE
J. Pierpont Morgan [1837-1913], New York. (Duveen Brothers,
New York and London), sold 1915 to Peter A. B. Widener,
Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from
Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appoint-
ment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

HE HEXAGONAL WINE EWER employs the colors yellow,
Taubergine, black, and two shades of green. The pri-
mary motifs in the decoration are the large shou (longevity)
characters on either side of the ewer, over which are
superimposed ogival panels with the additional longevity
symbols of a crane and a peach spray. Three-clawed drag-
ons with split tails appear above the shou characters.
These motifs are painted against a ground of floral scrolls.
The foot is painted with white plum blossoms superim-
posed on a green cracked ice panel. Panels with stylized
floral sprays surround the lip. A dragon's head appears at
the base of the spout and at the top of the handle. The
handle is painted yellow with black lines in imitation of
basketwork. The lid is surmounted by a lion resting one
paw on an openwork ball that spins freely. This ewer may
have been designed as a birthday gift.
SL
REFERENCES
1904-1911 Morgan: i: 12, no. 10, pi. 46.
1947 Christensen: 18.

P O R C E L A I N S 211