Lot 45. A rare early Mexican market blue and white jar, Wanli period, circa 1600; 14 ½ in. (36.8 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 193,750. © Christie’s Image Ltd 2020

With a large double-headed Augustinian eagle beneath a row of provincial buildings, lions and peacocks on the other panels.

The Tibor Collection.

Literature: William R. Sargent, Chinese Porcelain in the Conde Collection, Madrid, 2014, p.115.

Note: Philip II of Spain (r. 1556-98) granted the use of these Hapsburg arms to the Augustinian order based in the Philippines. W.S. Sargent, (Porcelains With the Arms of the Order of Saint Augustine, catalogue At The Crossroads, Denver Art Museum, 2012, pp. 53-66), notes that the Spanish Augustinians had outposts in Mexico, and points out that the distinctive architectural motif in their decoration bears a strong relationship to the colonial walled church compound architecture of Mexico. The Augustinians in particular utilized the distinctive espadana, or wall-belfry, Sargent explains. These colonial outposts were richly furnished, and, indeed, these churches were "criticized by other religous orders in the 17th century for...too lavish appointments" (Sargent, The International Asian Art Fair catalogue, March 2002, p. 15).