Ming-style blue and white with Floral stembowl, Mark of Xuande, Period of Qing dynasty
Ming-style blue and white with Floral stembowl, Mark of Xuande, Period of Qing dynasty
A stem bowl blue-and-white porcelain cup with the inscription "大明宣德年製" (Made in the Xuande period of the Ming dynasty) on its base is a classic example of Qing dynasty porcelain following Ming styles, particularly from the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor. It is common to find such high-stemmed cups from the Yongzheng period that mimic Ming dynasty designs.
While the painting on this piece adheres to the aesthetic traditions of the Ming dynasty, the tone of the underglaze blue distinctly reflects characteristics of early Qing dynasty production. This particular piece exemplifies how Qing dynasty artisans, especially during the early Qing period, incorporated Ming-style motifs into their works while maintaining their own unique color palettes and techniques.
The piece was from the seabed, and although it was soaked in hot water to remove the salt at the time of acquisition, slight salt residue remains on the surface.
Period : Qing Dynasty(Presumably Kangxi or Yongzheng Period)
Type : Stembowl
Medium : Blue and White glaze
Dimension : 14 cm(Height) x 13cm(Diameter)
Condition : Excellent(slight salt residue remains on the surface, and te glaze is worn primarily around the edges, such as the handles and rim.)
Provenance: Southeast Asia, South China Sea in early 2000s
Reference :
1) Sotheby's New York 23 March 2022 - Important Chinese Art - Lot 261
(Price realised : 50,400 USD / Type : related - Ming style)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/important-chinese-art/a-ming-style-copper-red-decorated-three-fish
2) Christies Newyork 22 MAR 2018 - The Studio of the Clear Garden: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 604
(Price realised : USD 732,500 / Type : related - Ming style)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6129537
3) Sotheby's London 4 November 2020 - Imperial Porcelain – A Private Collection - Lot 19
(Price realised : GBP 75,600 / Type : related - Yuan style)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/imperial-porcelain-a-private-collection/a-rare-yuan-style-doucai-meiping-qing-dynasty-18th
4) Asian Art Museum, San Francisco - Object number B60P88
(Type : related - Ming style)
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/7408/vase-with-dragon
* Yuan-Ming Style from Qing Dynasty
During the Qing dynasty, many ceramics were produced that imitated the styles of the Ming and Yuan dynasties. This practice was not mere imitation but a creative endeavor to inherit and innovate upon past techniques and styles. Qing dynasty ceramicists mastered the exceptional techniques of Ming and Yuan ceramics and used them as a foundation to develop more advanced works. Particularly, Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain and Ming dynasty colored ceramics significantly influenced Qing ceramics, with traditional patterns and forms deeply embedded in their creations.
Yuan-Ming prototypes were produced to meet the demand for ancient antiques from overseas. Qing dynasty artisans incorporated traditional elements while introducing innovative designs and techniques, producing unique and artistic ceramics. Thus, Qing ceramics are highly regarded for their respect for Ming and Yuan legacies while simultaneously creating new artistic expressions. This not only reinforced cultural authenticity but also played a crucial role in international trade and cultural exchanges.