Chinese Porcelain Piece, S. XX

Decorative Chinese white and blue porcelain piece in the shape of a pumpkin, probably a soup tureen or a similar bowl for food. This beautiful porcelain is made and decorated by hand, showing sober vegetal and Oriental-style patterns. The curious lobed shape, that imitates the silhouette of a pumpkin, is highly attention-drawing. The piece bears the mark of Qianlong period, the time when Chinese Qianlong Emperor ruled over the country. He was the fifth Qing Dynasty Emperor and succeeded his grandfather Kangxi. Qianlong abdicated in 1896. This piece was made later, probably in the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century. The porcelain is in very good condition, with no cracks or dents. Its artisanal making is highly appealing, being well reflected in the small bubbles of the glazing and the furnace mark of the pieces mouth. This mark is a light ochre tone which dyes the edge and is due to the heat generated during the firing process. The hand-made decoration, performed in different dark blue shades, depicts a bunch of grapes in each one of the lobes which divide the piece. At the top and the bottom, two decorative Oriental-style borders frame the central patterns. The lid is a very original accessory. It shape imitates the top of a pumpkin with its stalk, and completes successfully the tureens shape. The stalk is decorated with a flower surrounded by three groups of grape bunches. If we turn the teapot upside down we will see the square Qianlong stamp with several Chinese ideograms. In essence, this Chinese porcelain piece is a first class article because of its delicate decoration, its original shape and its fine hand-made glazed finish, which has survived to our days like new. Any lover of Oriental porcelains will be proud to include it in his collection. Measurements: 220 mm width x 145 mm height.