China - Canton Porcelain Bowl With Rich Decoration Of Palace Scenes. Circa 1890

CHINA - Generous ornamental bowl in Canton porcelain of the Rose family called "medallion" with prolific polychrome enamel and gold decoration on a white background of Court Scenes alternating with domestic objects and peonies stemmed on its belly; its basin, centered with a small painting depicting the Presentation of a Concubine, with Scenes from the Entertainments of the Imperial Palace. Floral bands animated by birds, butterflies complete its luxuriant decoration. The gilt bronze mount in Louis XVI style chiseled with openwork interlacing, fleurons and volutes of foliated acanthus, toreset garlands of laurel. Twin handles with Greek motifs and quadripod base. CHINA, Canton, Qing Dynasty, late 19th-early 20th century, Circa 1890.

WIVES AND CONCUBINES - With a small heel highlighted with a gold rim, this ample circular ornamental cup in Canton porcelain and polychrome Famille Rose enamels presents on its belly surrounded by a white background, within rectangular panels set with stylized geometric motifs, pleasant tableaux. These depict, next to an Imperial Prince sitting in his apartment, nobly dressed Princesses, smiling Favorites, zealous servant, diligent Emissary. Punctuated with domestic objects associated with the life of Court - brushes and collections of calligraphy, Fans, ..-, peonies with stems with open petals adorn the body of the cup. Embellished on a golden yellow background with an opulent floral mesh of chrysanthemums, peonies, morning glories, asters, ... punctuated by lychee fruits where jays chirp, butterflies flutter, a wide band braids its outer and inner edge. Centered with a medallion depicting, under the complacent gaze of a novice, the presentation of a Concubine, the basin of the Cup in its middle part unfolds in a frieze the idle entertainments of the Imperial Court. Within the rooms of the Palace with high red lacquered doors half-open onto courtyards, enclosed landscaped gardens converse the Emperor, high Dignitaries and Scholars, Servants move, play, read, languish Favorites and Concubines. In sober Louis XVI finery, a chased and gilded bronze mount encases the porcelain piece. Hemmed with a ribboned rush or a laurel torus, a frieze of openwork interlacing alternating cabochons and acanthus fleurons festoons its border, punctuating its base ringed with a knurled listel. Surmounted by twin handles with a Greek motif holding rings worked with grained laurel leaves, acanthus leafy palms hug its sides. A quadripod base with scrolls and acanthus crosets supports the whole. With a flattering presence, this very becoming Ornamental Cup with its playful decoration enlivened by a shimmering chromaticism will provide any interior with a cheerful note of exoticism. Materials: Canton porcelain with polychrome enamel and gold decoration on a white background; openwork gilt bronze mount.

Dimensions: H. with mount: 29 cm. W.: 37 cm. Diameter: 29 cm. CHINA, CANTON - Late 19th-Early 20th century, Circa 1890.