Note: The design of the handles on the present vases, each modeled as an undulating vertical band supporting disc-like tabs along the outer edge, may be inspired by contemporaneous 17th century Venetian glass wares or Islamic ceramics. For a discussion of the possible origins of this form, and a related Kangxi period blue and white porcelain example in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (inv. no. E84703), see William R. Sargent, Treasures of Chinese Export Ceramics from the Peabody Essex Museum, New Haven, 2012, pp 122-123, cat. no. 35.

For additional examples, see a pair sold in our London rooms, 7 September 2011, lot 88; and one sold at Christie's, London, 19 July 2018, lot 228.

Lot 37. A large blue and white 'peacock' charger, Kangxi Period (1662-1722); 35cm diam. Sold for US$1,024. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Painted in vibrant cobalt with a central octagonal panel surrounded by eight petal-form panels each enclosing a flower in bloom, all reserved against a diaper ground, the rim with four quatrefoil cartouches each enclosing clusters of pomegranate, between each cartouche a striding peacock against a 'floral' ground, the reverse with four beribboned 'jewels'.

Note: Chargers of this motif were highly desired in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the most famous display rooms featuring a charger of this type was the Peacock Room in the London home of Frederick R. Leland (1831-1892). The room is now installed at the Freer Gallery, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.

For similar chargers, see a set of three from Cohen & Cohen sold in our New York rooms, 24 January 2023, lot 125.

Lot 44. A blue and white 'Kraak' dish and a 'Kraak-style' charger, Kangxi Period (1662-1722); 26.7cm; 38.7cm diam. Sold for US$© Bonhams 2001-2024

The first, a bracket-rim 'Kraak' dish painted with a central medallion enclosing a European ship, the rim divided into six petal-form panels alternately enclosing a boy or a fish; the second, a large charger imitating 'Kraak' ware with deep sides and an everted rim, the center with a flowering garden within a 'floral' band radiating four diaper-patterned spokes extending to the rim, the resulting quadrants alternately painted with a landscape or blossoming peony or prunus trees.

Provenance: 'European ship' dish: Solveig & Anita Gray, London, 1993

Lot 32. A rare blue and white 'Madame de Pompadour' dish, Qianlong Period, Circa 1750; 22.8cm diam. Sold for US$1,536. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Decorated in underglaze blue with a central roundel of peonies, chrysanthemum, and pomegranate, the rim with cartouches flanked by floral sprays and enclosing fish or eagle, within a diaper border.

Provenance: Thomas Forshee Antiques, Stockbridge, MI, 1983

Note: Examples featuring this particular design were once believed to have been crafted for Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), the mistress of King Louis XV (r. 1715-1774). Born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, her maiden name of Poisson (fish) was believed to have inspired the fish vignettes on dishes of this type. The eagle vignettes, on the other hand, represented King Louis XV. Two enameled services and a blue and white service with this pattern have been documented.

For a similar Qianlong period blue and white example, see one sold at Christie's, New York, 26 January 2000, lot 195. A pair of enameled dishes with this design were sold in our London rooms, 4 November 2013, lot 148.

Lot 33. A Chinese export porcelain blue and white 'Burghley House' dish, Qianlong Period, Circa 1745-1750; 22.8cm diam. Sold for US$704. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Painted in underglaze blue with a Tudor-style mansion surrounded by an expansive lawn, two pheasants in a tree, another on the ground, and a fourth flying overhead, enclosed by decorative bands at the cavetto and rim.

Provenance: Lurie Collection, coll. no. 197, by repute (according to label)

Note: Burghley House was constructed between 1555 and 1587 for William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1520-1598), the chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I (r. 1558-1603). He also served as Secretary of State twice (1550–1553 and 1558–1572) and as Lord High Treasurer in 1572. The home itself is considered a masterpiece of Tudor architecture and houses a renowned art collection with particular depth in Chinese and Japanese export porcelains, as well as European and English ceramics. Images of Burghley House also appear on English delftware with a composition resembling the Chinese examples, although lacking the birds or a decorative border. The designs for these plates are thought to derive from a print by Johannes Kip (1653-1722) in Nouveau Théater de la Grande Bretagne (1715), after a drawing by Leonard Knyff (1650-1722).

For other Chinese export porcelain wares of this design, see one sold at Sotheby's, London, 19 May 2021, lot 272; a pair from the collection of the Visconde de Lançada sold in the same rooms, 18 January 2023, lot 73; and one from the Pierre Durand Collection sold at Christie's, New York, 27 January 2022, lot 220. See also two oval platters with this motif: the first in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (inv. no. E81797) illustrated by William R. Sargent in Treasures of Chinese Export Ceramics From the Peabody Essex Museum, New Haven, 2012, p. 139, cat. no. 47; and one from Cohen & Cohen sold in our New York rooms, 24 January 2023, lot 68.

Bonhams. THE KRAUSE COLLECTION OF CHINESE AND JAPANESE CERAMICS THREE DECADES OF CONNOISSEURSHIP, Online, Los Angeles, 1 – 11 December 2023