Page 61 - Chinese Export Porcelain Art, MET MUSEUM 2003

64. Cup and Saucer. Chinese (American market), I840-75. Hard paste. It is likely that the centennial also yielded
5
Cup: h. 2'/2 in. (6.5 cm). Saucer: diam. 3/4 in. (14.6 cm). Bequest of porcelains with patriotic themes relating
R. Thornton Wilson, in memory of his wife, Florence Ellsworth Wilson, to the nation's early history, including
I977 (I977.216.I, .2)
wares inspired by John Trumbull's iconic
painting of the signing of the Declaration
The decoration on this unusual cup and saucer depicts the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, asproclaimed in the banner carried in the beak of of Independence (fig. 64).
the oversize spread eagle. Here, the Chinese painters condensed and scaled down By the late nineteenth century Chinese
a version of thefamous i786 painting byJohn Trumbull in the United States export porcelains, especially blue and white
Capitol. The Founding Fathers, portrayed with Asianfeatures and without wares, had achieved a status above the
their powdered wigs, have been transformed into nineteenth-century gentlemen.
merely utilitarian. Looked upon with nostal-
gia, they became emblematic of the colo-

nial era. That Chinese export porcelains
were very much valued by their owners is
evidenced by the number of pieces cher-
ished and carefully mended in order to

be handed down to future generations
(fig. 47). During the last decades of the
century Chinese export porcelains were
increasingly collected by connoisseurs, an
indication of a new antiquarian interest in
America's past. Indeed, today such porce-
lains open a window onto one aspect of
the lives of some of America's important
historical figures.

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