A DEHUA LOTUS-LEAF-FORM BRUSH WASHER, CHINA, 17TH CENTURY

Expert’s note
: The present lot has an age of at least 350 years and is preserved in an absolutely superb condition, which must be regarded as extremely rare, given its overall fragility.

Delicately modeled in the form of a furled lotus leaf, set with a stem issuing from one side of the rim, an attendant bud extending across the base while the other sprig elegantly loops over towards the center of the leaf. The washer is applied overall with a distinct ivory-white glaze.


Provenance:
Collection of Major Edward C. Radcliffe, and thence by descent in the same family. Listed in the family archive as ‘X3’. Copies of a drawing of the present lot and handwritten notes from the Radcliffe family archive, reading ‘X3. Drawn by nightlight. Far better in every respect but drawn to give you an idea. It’s amazingly delicate.’ and ‘X3. Washer, white porcelain with form of an upturned lotus leaf. Blanc de chine. Mr. Morgan wrote and told me that.’ accompany this lot. Major Edward Copleston Radcliffe (1898-1967) served as a company commander with the British Expeditionary Force in France. He was wounded during the withdrawal at Dunkirk while holding the line at Calais. In 1948, he emigrated to South Africa for retirement as a successful artist. His collection became renowned only after his death, when several Imperial Chinese works of art were found in his house. Brian John St. Martin Morgan (1930-2018) joined Bluett & Sons in 1954, where he became a director of the company. He also was president of the British Antiques Dealers’ Association for a time.

Condition:
Excellent condition with expected minor old wear and firing irregularities. A microscopic nick to the rim. A small area of the rim has been polished, probably inherent to production.

Weight: 75.4 g
Dimensions: Length 12.2 cm, Height 3.9 cm


Literature comparison:

Compare a closely related brush washer, 3 cm high, dated 18th century, in the British Museum, registration number PDF.417. Compare a related brush washer from the Edward T. Chow collection, sold at Sotheby’s London, 23 June 1981, lot 303, and again at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 20 November 1985, lot 232.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Near identical
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 409
Price: USD 35,000 or approx.
EUR 41,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small Dehua lotus-leaf-form brush washer, late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and glaze. Note the size (10.5 cm).




十七世紀德化荷葉形筆洗

精美的捲曲的荷葉，莖從邊緣的一側伸出，與花蕾延伸到底部，而另一根小枝則優雅地環繞到葉子的中心。筆洗通體施象牙色白釉，造型別致，栩栩如生。


來源：
Edward C. Radcliffe少校收藏，在同一家族保存，在家庭檔案中“X3”。隨附當前拍品的圖畫副本以及Radcliffe家族檔案中的手寫筆記副本。Edward Copleston Radcliffe（1898-1967 年）曾擔任駐法英國遠征軍連長。他在敦克爾克撤退時在加萊堅守陣地時受傷。1948年，他作為一名成功的藝術家移民到南非退休。直到他死後，他的收藏才開始聞名，當時在他的家裡發現了幾件中國御製藝術品。Brian John St. Martin Morgan (1930-2018) 於 1954 年加入 Bluett & Sons，並成為該公司的董事。他還曾擔任過英國古董經銷商協會主席。

品相：
狀況良好，有輕微磨損和燒製不規則。邊緣有一個微小的缺口。邊緣的一小部分區域已被拋光，可能是生產過程中固有的。

重量：75.4 克
尺寸：長12.2 厘米, 高 3.9 厘米


文獻比較：


比較一件非常相近的十八世紀筆洗，3 釐米高，收藏於大英博物館，館藏編號PDF.417。比較一件相近的筆洗，收藏於Edward T. Chow收藏，見倫敦蘇富比，1981年6月23日，lot 303，以及見香港蘇富比，1985年11月20日，lot 232。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：幾乎相同
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2015年3月19日，lot 409
價格：USD 35,000（相當於今日
EUR 41,500
）
描述：明末/清初德化白釉荷葉形洗
專家評論：比較非常相近的外形和釉面。請注意尺寸 (10.5 釐米)。