Provenance
The Hatcher Cargo, ca. 1643.
Marc Michot, Bruges.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 1983 and accompanied by a copy of their certificate of authenticity. (see added scan)
Description
A finely potted Kraak porcelain covered cup or bowl, the deep cup with high, slightly flaring sides rising from a low foot ring, moulded in the characteristic Kraak manner with four broad bracket-lobed panels alternating with narrow vertical compartments. Painted in underglaze cobalt blue, the broad panels depict alternating scenes of birds perched upon rockwork amidst flowering plants and landscape motifs, while the narrow panels are decorated with pendent ribbons suspended from stylised bows. The interior is centred by a medallion depicting a bird standing upon rockwork, surrounded by radiating panels of floral sprays and jewelled motifs.
The high domed cover is similarly divided into broad floral reserves alternating with narrow ribbon-decorated panels beneath a continuous band of ruyi-heads, surmounted by a hollow circular ring knop. The interior of the knop bears a hare mark, an auspicious symbol associated with longevity and one frequently encountered on Kraak covered bowls of this type. The underside of the cover is further decorated with an artemisia leaf within a lobed reserve surrounded by radiating panels of jewels and dots. The unglazed rims of bowl and cover fit closely together, while the cover may also be inverted and used as a secondary bowl, an ingenious feature characteristic of this form.
The precise function of these covered bowls remains uncertain. Their carefully designed covers, fitted with a hollow ring knop that also serves as a foot when inverted, suggest a practical as well as aesthetic purpose. VOC inventories refer to comparable vessels as “covered stew cups” (gedekte stoofkommen), implying their use for serving soups, stews, or other warm dishes. Equally, they may have served for the storage and presentation of preserves, pickled fruits, vegetables, or other delicacies.
Literature:
Maura Rinaldi, 'Kraak Porcelain: A Moment in the History of Trade', pp. 185-186, pl. 240 for a near-identical example and a further discussion.
Jorge Welsh Books, 'Kraak Porcelain: The Rise of Global Trade in the Late 16th and Early 17th Centuries', pp. 232-237, no. 39 for a near-identical example and a further discussion.
Colin Sheaf, Richard Kilburn, 'The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record', p. 45, pl. 54.
Lot 38
hare mark, Wanli
Dia.: 14,2 cm - H.: 16,1 cm
incl. cover
Estimation
€ 1.500,00 – € 2.500,00
Provenance
The Hatcher Cargo, ca. 1643.
Marc Michot, Bruges.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 1983 and accompanied by a copy of their certificate of authenticity. (see added scan)