Provenance
A Dutch private collection.
The example to the left:
Christie's Amsterdam, 14 March 1984, 'Fine And Important Late Ming And Transitional Porcelain, Recently Recovered from an Asian Vessel in the South China Sea. Property of Captain Michael Hatcher'. (label)
The collection of Anthony du Boulay, who worked at Christie's from 1949 until 1980; a large part as the Director of the Ceramics Department and for thirteen years as the President of Christie's, Geneva. From 1981, he served as Honorary Adviser on Ceramics to the National Trust, several terms on the council of the Oriental Ceramic Society and also as the chairman of the French Porcelain Society and of the DNHAS (Dorset County Museum). He was also a very active writer and researcher in the field, with highlights such as 'Christie’s Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics' and 'Porcelain for Palaces: the Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750'. Collection no. P459. (label)
Duke's Auctioneers, UK, 11 November 2019, lot 98 (one of two).
Description
The domed covers decorated in underglaze blue with dragons pursuing flaming pearls amidst swirling clouds and waves.
The Hatcher Cargo, recovered from a shipwreck believed to date to the mid-17th century, was among the first major consignments of salvaged Chinese porcelain to reach the international art market. Dispersed through a series of Christie's auctions in Amsterdam in 1984 and 1985, it remains an important reference for the study of Transitional porcelain (c. 1620–1670).
The cargo can be dated to around 1643–1645, principally through two porcelain covers inscribed with the date 1643, supported by stylistic comparisons with other dated examples. The remarkable consistency of the recovered ceramics provides valuable insight into Chinese porcelain production during the turbulent transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty.
Ref.:
- Christie's Amsterdam, 12-13 June 1984, lot 602 for another identical example.
Literature:
- C. Sheaf and R. Kilburn, 'Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes: The Complete Record', 1988.
Two Chinese blue and white 'Dragon' seal paste boxes and covers, Hatcher Cargo
Transitional period
Dia.: 8,5 cm - H.: 4 cm
incl. cover
Estimation
€ 3.000 – € 6.000
Provenance
A Dutch private collection.
The example to the left:
Christie's Amsterdam, 14 March 1984, 'Fine And Important Late Ming And Transitional Porcelain, Recently Recovered from an Asian Vessel in the South China Sea. Property of Captain Michael Hatcher'. (label)
The collection of Anthony du Boulay, who worked at Christie's from 1949 until 1980; a large part as the Director of the Ceramics Department and for thirteen years as the President of Christie's, Geneva. From 1981, he served as Honorary Adviser on Ceramics to the National Trust, several terms on the council of the Oriental Ceramic Society and also as the chairman of the French Porcelain Society and of the DNHAS (Dorset County Museum). He was also a very active writer and researcher in the field, with highlights such as 'Christie’s Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics' and 'Porcelain for Palaces: the Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750'. Collection no. P459. (label)
Duke's Auctioneers, UK, 11 November 2019, lot 98 (one of two).
