Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT, NEW YORK
A rare squirrel-form underglaze blue and iron-red porcelain kendi, Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573-1620)
Lot 113. A rare squirrel-form underglaze blue and iron-red porcelain kendi, Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573-1620). 7 1/2in (19cm) high. Estimate US$ 4,000 - 6,000 (€3,400 - 5,200). Sold for US$ 50,000 (€42,962). Photo: Bonhams.
The body of compressed-lobed form, surmounted by a figure of a crouching squirrel supporting the tall, columnar neck, the head of the animal forming the spout, the body painted with bunches of grapes, the neck with floral and geometric patterns.
Note: The shape of this kendi is highly unusual. A closely related piece is in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, inventory number PO 2327. A similar example is in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, inventory number AE85342, and a further example was sold at Sotheby's, London, 20 June 2001, lot 266. A similarly iron-red enameled kendi with underglaze blue decoration, in this case of frog-form, was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 19 September 2015, lot 989.
Kendi, China, Jingdezhen, Ming period (1368-1644), Wanli era (1573-1619), circa 1575-1615. Porcelain, under-glaze cobalt blue, inventory number PO 2327 © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Kendi (squirrel), 1573-1619. Porcelain, Jingdezhen, China. H: 7 3/4 in, W: 5 1/2 in, D: 5 1/8 in (H: 19.7 cm, W: 14.0 cm, D: 13.0 cm). Museum purchase, 1997, AE85342 © The Peabody Essex Museum
A later-enameled blue and white 'frog' kendi, Ming dynasty, late 16th century. Height 7 in., 17.8 cm. Sold for 6,875 USD at Sotheby's, New York, 19 September 2015, lot 989. Courtesy Sotheby's.