Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Canton enamel shell-shaped box & cover, Qianlong (1735-1796), decorated to the lid with forget me nots, peony and yellow iris in delicate enamels, the inside cover with a trailing gourd amongst flowers, seed pods and flying insects. SOLD
Dimensions:
Diameter: 7.5cm. (3 in.)
Condition:
Restored
Notes:
Shells have appeared in Chinese culture for centuries, with myths including that of the ‘shen’, a large shellfish that could shapeshift. However, it is likely that shell motifs and designs were also a popular choice for export items due to their long symbolic ties with both Christian pilgrimage and the feminine principle in classical antiquity.
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
