Bindweed

Widely used in the 19th century in for both domestic and export wares and especially blue and white porcelains, the bindweed motif is a Chinese symbol of the close attachments in relationships of love and marriage as it often grows wrapped around trees.

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  • Antique Blue and White Porcelain Miniature Ewer, China (4056B-DKM) $135

    $135.00

    This charming miniature ewer or small pitcher was made during the Tongzhi Period and probably used in a restaurant or home kitchen as a dispenser for soy sauce, oils or other liquids. Likely from a provincial area, the spout and handle are elegantly curved. The thick cobalt blue designs are set on a spotted grey ground with a chrysanthemum on each side and abstract plantain curved vertical leaf designs below. There are also bindweed vines on both sides, neck and lid and the oval above the flower. The lid’s underside is unglazed and has a lotus shaped bud atop for lifting, and the inside and lid’s underside has century old stains from soy, dried oil or other dark liquids attesting to its age and use. It is in good condition with some chips, discoloration and spotting consistent with its age and use. The bottom has a Chinese antique export seal.

  • Antique Blue and White Porcelain Miniature Teapot, China (4056A-ZOK) $175

    $175.00
    H: 5.25”  W: 4.75”  D: 2.375” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This elegantly shaped small teapot has finely painted cobalt blue chrysanthemum and bindweed designs in the center and upper registers and plantain leaf designs at the bottom, popular underglaze design elements were widely used in late 19th century in domestic and export wares. Below the short neck is a chain of roundels with nineteen spirals, and the lid is covered with bindweed and wave designs, the latter indicating a sea or lake. The lid is topped by a ball handle topped with a four-line star and the bottom has an abstract plantain leaf design. It is in very good condition with two small chips on the lid and a small chip on the end of the spout. The inside has been stained by more than a century of tea brewing.

  • SOLD – Antique Blue and White Porcelain Scholar’s Ink Cake Box, China ((16453GAL) $115

    $115.00
    SOLD

    This finely hand-painted rectangular porcelain cobalt blue and white box with underglaze designs was used to store ink cakes as part of an assortment of prized items on a Chinese scholar’s desk. The cover is painted with bindweed designs, wave-like curved lines usually indicating water, and a fanciful bat’s face inside a continuous geometric meander or fret pattern. The box sides are covered with bindweed, spirals, and circles, and although circles and round shapes are usually associated with or represent heaven, these seem strictly decorative. There are traces of red, brown, and black ink inside and on the edges of the unglazed portions and rough and stained areas on the unglazed portions of the box and wear consistent with and demonstrating its age and use.

     

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