Rare Blue and White 19th Century Nanking Export Ware cup - Ref. aug102

 Rare Blue and White 19th Century Nanking Export Ware cup -
Ref. aug102

Most of the porcelain shipped from China to the West during the 17th Century and right through to the 19th Century is now commonly referred to as 'Chinese Export Porcelain' . Britain and Europe had yet to master the fine porcelain and the blue coloring which was to be found in China, and, together with silks, spices and tea, porcelain became a significant import. Porcelain was shipped out in the holds of cargo ships and became known as 'ballast ware'.  Nanking and Canton porcelain are possibly amongst the better known porcelains, and, although both are quite similar in some respects such as they were both hand painted, showing village scenes, distant mountains, arched bridges and willow trees, the Nanking porcelain was superior in the quality of the decoration as well as the 'blue' coloration. The Canton 'blue' often tended towards a gray-blue color and sometimes gave a blotchy finish.

 Another way of distinguishing the Nanking ware (to some degree) is that of the border patterns.  The Nanking patterns favored a lattice geometrical design, often with a 'spearhead,'  and, often showed some gilding around the rim. The Canton designs showed a wavy or 'cloud-like' border. Canton porcelain was also inferior and showed up as a coarser texture, often with  granular imperfections.Usually, the Nanking patterns did not show 'figures', this cup is unusual in that it does have two figures in the design.All in all, Nanking produced porcelain of a far higher quality, better color and finely executed designs.

This little cup stands just 6.8cm high with a diameter of 6cm.
It shows a typical Chinese scene, of two people, a distant mountain, an arched bridge and a tea house. In excellent condition with a light blue wash, it shows a gilded rim. Possibly a tea-cup (tea was still an expensive commodity) I would place the date as around the 1810-1820  (Georgian period). The date may be even earlier, but, sometimes the same design and pattern was produced for many years. There is a small glazing blemish on the inside of the cup (this can be seen in the photo on the left) which would be indicative of the quality during the Georgian period. The Chinese exported, in the early stages, porcelain which they felt was of inferior quality to that which was sold in China itself.

This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.

Price R395.00
Post R45.00 

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