Porcelain is considered more refined and delicate than other ceramic forms. It was first made in China during the Yuan dynasty and its production increased during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ceramics fired at lower temperatures were usually every day utilitarian pieces using inexpensive clays and colors for decoration made in quantities for the poor. Porcelain continually advanced as kaolin and other minerals were mixed in fine-grained clays, kilns were improved so they could reach higher temperatures and clearer glazes were created. Producing porcelain began by firing a biscuit (an unglazed ceramic body) at a low temperature, adding painted cobalt blue (made from cobalt and aluminum oxide) designs on its surface, covering it with a clear glaze and then firing the piece at very high temperatures. This process created a harder, non-porous, vitrified (glass-like) body that was white, translucent and able to produce sounds when lightly struck depending on how thin the body was. Because porcelain was superior to other types and kinds of ceramics, a huge response ensued for porcelain for domestic and export use.
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Charming miniature pitcher probably used in a restaurant or home kitchen as a dispenser for soy sauce, oils or other liquids. Elegant shape, covered with chrysanthemums, plantain leaves and bindweed vines with lotus bud on top.
Small teapot with intricate cobalt blue chrysanthemum and bindweed designs widely used in late 19th century in domestic and export wares. Ball handle on lid.
This is unusual piece was likely on a scholar’s desk along with pots, brushes, water droppers, boxes, ink stones and other daily used objects used for a variety of tasks: a brush holder, a paper weight and more. With its round body covered with the landscape of a Chinese village, mountains and seas and the calligraphic name of the scholar owner Shu Dai Ji (舒逮吉) it would be perfect for placement on any style desk or in a study.
Multicolored ceramic opium pillow, hand-painted green and red florals, fruits and vases in relief, blue cobalt border. Top and bottom seals to approve for export as antique.
The Chinese characters within a circled seal in the mold on the bottom indicate this teapot is an antique. As the thin ribbon blue collar as wishes for long life, it is a perfect birthday gift. Recommended for decorative use only.
This elegantly shaped and beautiful high-fired antique porcelain ewer was decorated on its outside with a saffron-colored glaze called a coral red glaze. The sides have a white glazed quatrefoil panel with hand-painted multi-colored floral designs on a white background within a gold frame interspersed among sinuous gold leaf vines across the body and neck and a white glaze covers the inside and bottom. Its beauty is enhanced with its graceful spout, colorful white and gold panel beautiful.
Utilitarian ceramics like this were used in home kitchens and restaurants to hold oil, sauces, soy or other liquids. This spouted blue and white porcelain jar has four loops, also called lugs, so a natural fiber such as rattan could be threaded to either secure a top create a way to hang it to a peg. Sealing the top was very useful if the jars contained liquid and needed to be transported. The piece is decorated in a free and expressive manner with a charming impression of a country scene of a building in a landscape surrounded by tall trees. The cobalt is thick and dark in some areas of the foliage and applied with a thin, sparing and light brush elsewhere.
This simple, elegant beautifully shaped footed porcelain bowl is thinly crafted with a monotone coral saffron glaze on the outside and a grayish-white glaze on the inside. It has a rather high and deep foot and the bottom has a fading red stamped seal of an unknown kiln. It is in excellent condition and some minor pitting inside the bowl caused by gases escaping from the clay body during the firing cycle. Likely from the Togzhi Period 1862-1874.
Porcelain cat teapot removable head, sinuous tail handle. Beautifully hand-painted whimsical ribbon-like blue collar, dangling ornamental bow, and the black accents. Likely Qing Dynasty circa 1900-1920.
Antique porcelain teapot, removable head, tail handle, and spout paw. Hand painted design with ribbon-like gold collar and dangling ornamental bow symbolizing long life. Great gift, recommended for decorative use only.
Beautifully hand-painted whimsical cat tea pot with red collar ribbon, ornamental bow, and ball under left paw. Black, orange, red and blue accents on face, ears, head, paws and ball. Bottom double stamped seal.
Rotund porcelain teapot with removable head. With her pink highlights, round wide eyes, feathered brows and 3 part ribbon with bow she appears to be an affectionate female lap cat.
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