Canton Rose Medallion Chamber Pot and Cover, C.1840

Ref: J410

£ 980

Price is subject to availability and market conditions.

Chinese Canton Rose Medallion chamber pot and cover, c.1840, with applied side-handle and surmounted by a gilt knop, richly decorated in polychrome overglaze enamels to the exterior body and lid with a continuous scene of multiple figures in a pavilion courtyard with rockwork and greenery, with a wide band to the rim containing large butterflies amongst various fruits and flowers including pomegranate and peony against a gilt ground

Dimensions:

Diameter: 30cm. (11 3/4in.)

Condition:

Large chip on underside of knop, minor chips and frits to rim, minor wear to enamels

Notes:

Butterflies (hudie) symbolise blessings or happiness; the latter syllable is homophonous with 'die' (eighty years old) and so they can also be a symbol of longevity or a long and happy marriage. The motif of a butterfly amongst peony, in particular, often alludes to a young man approaching the woman he loves. The auspiciousness of the imagery on this pot is further increased by the repetition of the motif; reference to yet another homophone of ‘die’ which translates to ‘pile up’ or ‘multiply’.