Chinese Blue and White Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White porcelain is the most easily distinguishable and famous
ceramic type. Blue designs are painted onto a white background, which shines
through a clear glaze. The blue (Cobalt) in Blue and White wares was originally
sourced from Persia and gained the name ‘Mohammedan Blue', however over time
the Chinese managed to source cobalt on home ground, and eventually secured a
formula that often mixed the two types.
The main centre for production was at Jing-de-zhen (Ching-tê Chên), Jiangxi
Province, which as noted by Margaret Medley was ‘capable of producing virtually
anything that a merchant might demand by the beginning of the sixteenth century'
(2006:216). The wares were then transported 400 miles to Canton for export (Schiffer
1975:12).
Blue and white was the first real type of mass produced export ceramic ware, to the
extent that the Chinese had a monopoly on this market. The reasons for this demand
were because the Chinese had developed a form of ceramic known as (hard-paste)
porcelain which did not chip unlike the European ceramics. The material was also
more malleable and therefore the porcelain could be molded into delicate and elegant
shapes. It was only in the early 18th Century that the Europeans discovered the secret
recipe to hard-paste porcelain.
The blue and white in this collection can be dated to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
Apart from the Chinese tea bowls, much of the form of the export ware has been
designed to meet the needs of the Western lifestyle; for instance, plates, sauceboats,
jugs and western style tea cups are all types of blue and white porcelain that would
have been seen in country houses across middle class England during the 18th
century. Yet, when one examines the decoration and detail, Chinese influence, or at
least what the Chinese thought the Westerners wanted to see, can be observed.
There is the Chinese Willow pattern, of which there are variations of a theme running
through the collection; various flower motifs such as Chrysanthemum and Peonies,
which symbolise seasons of the year, and other Chinese emblems such as scholarly
attributes, which would mean nothing to the western eye, other than to provide
aesthetic pleasure. However, there was a western obsession with ‘all things oriental',
and the decoration on the Chinese ceramics was one way of providing a window to
the Orient.
Chinese Blue and White Plates
1775-1800, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2.10
A plate decorated in underglaze blue and white with a landscape scene.
The landscape is a portrayal of daily life with houses, a boy on a buffalo, and a man
carrying water. The broad edge is decorated with alternating flowers, and peonies.
The underside is decorated with three sprays of flowers.
Late 18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
113/1998
A plate decorated in underglaze blue and white.
The well is decorated with a peony and other flowers, and bordered with a diamond
diaper pattern. The flange is decorated with three pagoda and river landscape scenes.
The plate has several cracks.
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty, China
K141
A soup plate decorated in underglaze blue and white depicting a floral scene.
The well is decorated with a hibiscus flower, pomegranate, and peony. The broad
flange is bordered with the Van Dyke Pattern and the rim is edged with brown glaze
to prevent chipping.
1810, 19th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
K140
An underglaze blue and white plate with foliated rim, badly damaged.
The well of the plate is decorated with a spray of flowers. The flange is decorated
with an alternating diaper pattern and flowers.
18th/19th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2.9
A plate in underglaze blue and white with three hunters on horseback.
The scene in the well depicts three hunters on horseback hunting a running deer with
bows and arrows. The broad edged flange is bordered with alternating patterns of
swastikas and floral sprays in ogival panels. The underside rim is decorated with
three flowers.
Chinese Blue and White Bowls
A.D. 1770 onwards, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2, 14 & 15
Two bowls in underglaze blue and white decorated in a variation of the Chinese
Willow pattern.
The well of each bowl is decorated with two houses, a beautiful mansion, and a
secured chamber (on the right hand side) surrounded by willow, and prunus
overlooking the river. There is a figure in a sampan on the water and two birds flying
in the sky. At the top left of the plate is a house on an island, which symbolises a new
life, and agricultural success in 'the Willow story'. The flange is bordered with a
fleur-de-lis pattern, and a diamond diaper pattern.
Late 18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2, 11 & 12
Two bowls decorated in underglaze blue and white portraying a variation of the
Chinese Willow pattern.
There are two houses overlooking a river scene with boats, a bridge with two people
on it, a willow tree, prunus, and a house on the other side of the estuary. There is also
a 'V' shape of birds flying overhead.
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2, 7 & 13
Two bowls decorated in underglaze blue and white.
50/1943/7 depicts a 'lattice fence' pattern, with a beautiful mansion and a chamber
surrounded by trees and a lattice fence. The mansion overlooks a river scene where
there is a sampan moored and birds flying overhead. There is a pagoda on an outcrop
further upstream.
50/1947/13 is a variation of the Chinese Willow pattern, with two people standing on
a bridge under a Willow. There are three men standing in fishing boats, fishing.
It is interesting to compare 50/1947/13 with 50/1943/2, 11 & 12. They are essentially
of the same design, but they are good examples of 'artistic licence', where there is
differentiation within the same theme.
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2, 16 & 17
Two bowls decorated in underglaze blue and white depicting a garden scene.
In the centre of the well is a vase full of peonies and other flowers. The bowl is
decorated with scholarly emblems. There is a bat, the emblem of happiness and
longevity, a 'ruyi' sceptre, which symbolises the notion 'as you like it', and a holy
rock. The bowl is decorated with a border of flowers.
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
115/1998
A bowl decorated in underglaze blue and white depicting a man and a boy under a
willow tree.
The boy is holding a fish in his hands and is offering it to the man who is carrying a
fishing net. Two birds are flying in the sky. The rim is bordered with a simple
pattern. There is a label on the reverse stating 'Nankin 1770'. The bowl is slightly
damaged with two minor cracks and a chip on the rim.
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911), China
50/1943/2/38
A bowl decorated in underglaze blue and white depicting a house on an outcrop with
the 'Three Friends of Winter' (Suihan Sanyou) and a sampan.
There is a river scene with two men in fishing boats, and an outcrop with three
pagodas. There are birds flying overhead.
The 'Three Friends of Winter' are Pine, Bamboo, and Prunus, and they are always
grouped together because all three species keep green in winter and add colour. They
are emblems for friendship because of their individual qualities: The pine tree lives
for many decades and stands for venerable old age; the Prunus puts blossom on bare
branches at the start of spring, and is associated wityh youthful vigour; the Bamboo
bends before strong winds but does not break and is thus compared to a staunch and
loyal friend. The three qualities together represent the three ideal qualities of a
gentleman. The three trees together also equate to the three religions of China:
Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.
There is also a label stating 'Nankin 1770' on the reverse. However, according to
Nadler 'underglazeblue ware of late 18th/19th centuries called Nankin or Nanking
porcelain is an entirely Western designation. Underglaze pieces would only have
been fired at Jing-de-zhen since there was no way of firing porcelain with underglaze
blue either in Nanking or Canton (2001;Chp9).
Blue and White Saucers
18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
116/1998
A saucer with a foliated rim decorated in underglaze blue and white.
The well is decorated with sprays of peonies encompassed within two concentric
bands, there are also peonies decorating the broad flange. The rim is decorated with a
triangle-work border.
Middle 18th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
130/1911
A saucer decorated in underglaze blue and white with three globular floral sprays
interspersed with other decorative motifs. The rim is edged with a basic blue and
white border. The design on the whole saucer is unusual.
Late 18th/early 19th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
114/1998, 1 & 2
Two saucers decorated in underglaze blue and white, with Chrysanthemum and
scrollwork pattern framed by narrow bands in the well and repeated within a
medallion at the centre.
The pattern on the saucers is popularly known as the Starburst pattern. The overall
ground of scrollwork is sometimes described as conch shell or stylised Arabic script.
. The rims are edged in brown glazing to prevent chipping. 114/1998/1 is badly
cracked. On the reverse is a mark surrounded by bands and 3 ‘J's in the form of
decoration. 114/1998/2 has no mark on the reverse, but has two upside down ‘V's in
the form of decoration. Saucer dishes of this pattern were recovered off the
shipwreck Diana which sank off Malaca in 1817.
Reference see: ‘Chinese Export Porcelain at Washington and Lee University' p.237
Blue and White Vases and Containers
1700, Kangxi reign, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
47/1978/22
The body of the vase and lid is predominantly decorated in a fish roe diaper pattern.
The neck of the vase is decorated with alternating ogival panels of butterflies and
foliage. The shoulder has four Kyi dragons. On the body of the vase is a
pomegranate and tree. The pomegranate symbolises the hope of the family to have
many successful children. Above this is a peach, (an emblem of marriage and a
symbol of immortality and springtime), surrounding a ‘Hitling' (Chinese Unicorn), a
symbol of benevolence and peace. These panels alternate with scenes of a horse
playing under a willow tree, the willow symbolising frailty and lust. The base of the
vase is decorated with a key-fret design in continuous units.
1680-1700, Kangxi reign, Ch'ing dynasty
China
29/1940/14
A vase and lid decorated in underglaze blue and white on an ornate wooden stand.
The body is decorated with flowers such as the lotus seed pod and a peony, which are
both representative of part of the four seasons: peony, spring; lotus, summer;
chrysanthemum, autumn; wild plum, winter. The body has an elaborate triangle
border, which is typical of the Kangxi period. The rim of the body lid is sealed with a
brown glaze to prevent chipping.
Early 19th century, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
Two containers and lids decorated in underglaze blue and white. The lid can be
turned upside down to act as its own container.
Both containers are decorated with flowers which are unidentifiable, and the rim of
the lid is covered with a brown glaze to protect from chipping. There is a label on
32/1997 stating that the piece was looted in 1857 and therefore must pre-date this
date. The underglaze blue is of a greyish blue tone and has been described as ‘peasant
ware' (B. McElney 28/03/07), therefore not made for export. 33/1998 is identical in
style but slightly larger in dimensions.
Blue and White Decorative Cups and Vessels
1690's, Kangxi reign, Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
38/1975/56 b & c
Two tea bowls decorated in underglaze blue and white.
The tea bowls are decorated with an official riding a horse on a hunt in the centre of
the cup (in a similar design to 50/1943/2.9). . The inside rims are decorated in a
simple border depicting a flower panel. The outsides of the cups have been inspired
by Kraakware, as they have been divided into six panels each depicting scenes such as
landscapes, people, and flowers. The number 6 is auspicious in the Chinese belief
system. The tea bowls have been moulded.
1710 (18th century), Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911)
China
126/1911, 127/1911, 128/1911, 131/1911
A set of tea bowls decorated in underglaze blue and white with scalloped rims.
The bowls are decorated with three groups of pomegranates (on the outsides of
126/127/128)
which symbolises fertility. The pomegranates are interspersed with other flowers and
foliage. The inside rim is decorated with a triangle-work pattern, and there is a single
flower at the base of the well. 131/1911 is decorated in the same style but also on the
inside of the teabowl.