A Chinese imari shell-shaped enamel ewer and basin, Yongzheng period (1723-35). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010

The ewer formed as a nautilus shell on a stepped, waisted foot, with large scrolling bracket handle, the basin as a scallop shell, the exterior of the ewer and interior of the basin decorated on the fluted surface with bérainesque motifs within iron-red and gilt line surrounds, the underside of the basin with similar motifs in underglaze blue and gilt, supported on three small shell feet, restorations
12¼ in. (31 cm.) high, and 14½ in. (37 cm.) wide (2). Estimate £10,000 - £15,000 Price Realized £20,000

Provenance: Acquired by Honble. John Spencer (1708-1746) from Elizabeth Chenevix, January 28 1741/2 'A China ewer £1.11s.6d. Febry 3 A Large China Scalop'd Shell Bason £2.12s.6d'.

Literature: W.B. Honey, Catalogue of the Porcelain and Pottery both Oriental and European in the Collection of the Earl Spencer at Althorp, 1937, no. 96.

Notes: This ewer and basin was acquired by the Honble. John Spencer from Elizabeth Chenevix, January 28 1741/2 'A China ewer 1.11.6. Febry 3 A Large China Scalop'd Shell Bason 2.12.6' (MSS, British Library, Add. 78026, Althorp Papers).

There is a long tradition of nautilus shell and scallop shell shapes in European (especially southern) metalwork. Chinese export porcelain models of the present kind were fashionable in the first quarter of the 18th century, at the height of the Chinese Imari era, and continued to be requested as fashion turned to floral famille rose in the second quarter of the century, when they were more commonly made in painted enamel.

A similar ewer and basin was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, illustrated by Howard and Ayers, China for the West, London and New York, 1978, vol. I, no. 125, p. 144. Another, from the Collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III was sold at Christie's New York, 22 January 2002, lot 81.

Christie's. The Spencer House Sale. 8 July 2010. London, King Street www.christies.com