Tea service (6) - Porcelain

Chinese export porcelain tea wares, 18th century and yougner

A charming group of six Chinese porcelain tea wares, made for the export market, staring from the early to mid-18th century, comprising two blue-and-white saucers, two Batavia-glazed tea bowls, and an associated Batavia / Imari palette tea bowl with saucer.

The most remarkable pieces are the pair of blue-and-white saucers decorated with geese in a waterside landscape, with reeds, rocks, flying insects and a pale moon-like roundel. These two saucers may be dated to the early 18th century, Kangxi/Yongzheng period, circa 1700–1730, and are closely related in feeling to porcelain types recovered from the Ca Mau shipwreck, with their delicate, freely painted landscape scenes and soft underglaze-blue palette. Diameter: 10 cm. Condition:minimal fleabite chips (see pics)

The lot also includes two tea bowls with café-au-lait / Batavia-brown exteriors, the interiors painted in underglaze blue with stylised flowers, leaves and aquatic motifs. These pieces are typical of Chinese export porcelain of the Yongzheng to early Qianlong period, circa 1725–1750, but heese two probably 19th or 20th century copies. The warm brown exterior glaze was especially appreciated in the European market and is often associated with so-called Batavia ware. Diameter: 8 cm Condition: very good to excellent.

The final two pieces form a decorative Batavia-ground tea bowl and saucer, the saucer painted in an Imari-inspired palette with underglaze blue and iron-red floral decoration, and the tea bowl decorated inside with famille rose enamels, including pink and red flowers with dark blue foliage. The exterior has a rich brown Batavia glaze. These pieces are best dated to the Qianlong period, circa 1740–1760. Condition: very good. Diameter: 7,5 cm (cup) and 12 cm (saucer)

Together, the group beautifully illustrates the variety of Chinese export tea wares produced for Europe in the 18th century: refined blue-and-white landscape porcelain, Batavia-brown tea bowls, and polychrome floral decoration influenced by the Imari and famille rose taste.

Condition: antique condition with expected traces of age and use. Minor rim fritting, small glaze imperfections, kiln specks and light wear to the decoration may be present, consistent with Chinese export porcelain of this period. Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

A highly decorative and appealing group for collectors of Chinese export porcelain, Kangxi/Yongzheng/Qianlong tea wares, Batavia ware and early 18th-century blue-and-white porcelain.