Page 35 - Biscuit Refined Famille Verte Porcelain

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RECUMBENT HORSE

China
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain decorated with famille verte enamels on the biscuit;
the Chinese porcelain pedestal and ormolu mount added later in Europe
Height: 21.5 cm; length: 17.3 cm; width: 10 cm

A model of a recumbent horse set on top of a mane, called the ‘withers’. The large porcelain pedestal
rectangular porcelain pedestal with an ormolu mount. is moulded in two parts and the protruding base at the
The horse with its head raised and front hooves resting bottom has a lambrequin design. The surfaces of the
on the ground as if about to stand up. The body pedestal are incised with a bird standing on a
covered with yellow-ochre enamel. The hooves, as well flowering branch and Chinese clouds painted with a
as the mane and tail, which were attached separately, light purple enamel on a vivid blue enamel ground.
are painted in aubergine-purple enamel, while the The base is left in the biscuit, in the centre of which is
reins and a small section of the tail were left in the a metal screw attaching the pedestal to the ormolu
biscuit. A small firing hole is located at the base of the mount.

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