Lot 733. A blue and white ewer with silver mounts, Chongzhen period (1628-1644); 10 in. (25.4 cm) high. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price realised USD 8,125. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018

Made for the Dutch market, the pear-shaped ewer is raised on a waisted pedestal foot and decorated with a scene of scholars drinking wine in a landscape setting below a band of leafy tulip sprays on the shoulder and further sprays on the waisted neck which rises to a spouted rim, and the curved handle is decorated with flames. The silver cover is fully marked on the inside, probably Dutch Haarlem, 18th century, and the thumb-piece is in the form of a standing peacock.

Provenance: Christie's New York, 21 March 2002, lot 182.

Note: Blue and white wares of this type were made for the Dutch market, and a similar ewer or 'wine' jug, also with silver mounts, can be seen in a Dutch seventeenth century still-life painting by S. Luttichuys (1610-1661) illustrated by Dr. A. I. Spriggs, 'Oriental Porcelain in Western Paintings, 1450-1700', T.O.C.S., 1964-66, vol. 36, pp. 73-87, pl. 71c.