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A PAIR OF SMALL FAMILLE ROSE BOAR-HEAD TUREENS Boar-head tureens made in China were privately commissioned by
AND COVERS wealthy European families to delight the eye and enthrall the heart
Qianlong during banquets, while also impressing on their guests the host’s
Both animal heads naturalistically modelled with raised snouts and wealth and status. The nostrils of this boar-head tureen would allow
staring eyes, the mouths wide open revealing tongue, teeth and a pair the steam to escape from the hot food inside, helping to create a more
of short tusks, the snout and ears glazed in iron-red, the hide carefully realistic effect.
rendered with delicate hairline strokes of brown.
Each 16cm (6 1/4in) long. (4). Their use relates to the European medieval tradition of serving meat
in animal heads at certain banquets or celebrations. William Sargent
£10,000 - 15,000 argues that the ceramic boar-head tureens derive from this specific
CNY88,000 - 130,000 tradition, and points out that animal head tureens were apparently first
made at Strasbourg, in Alsace Lorraine, by Paul Hannong, between
1748-54. The idea clearly caught on quickly; a Chelsea porcelain
清乾隆 粉彩豬首蓋罐一對 example was offered at auction in March 1755. However, most of the
ceramic versions are of Continental European origin, potted and glazed
Provenance: Sotheby’s London, 5 November 1991, lot 139 with tin oxides as earthenware vessels, not fine porcelain. See a larger
A distinguished European private collection similar boar-head tureen and cover, Qianlong, illustrated by M.Cohen
and W.Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie: Chinese and Japanese Export
來源：倫敦蘇富比，1991年11月5日，拍品編號139 Ceramic Figures, Surrey, 2008, p.185, no.12.5.
歐洲顯貴私人收藏
See a similar pair of boar’s head tureens and covers, Qianlong, which
were sold at Christie’s New York, 26 January 2015, lot 143.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.