M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE  ARTS

 

www.mfordcreech.com

 

OF JOURNEYS, BREADFRUIT & LOVE...

OF COCKERELS, COURAGE & LIGHT...

 


 

Rare Miniature "Valentine Pattern" Teabowl & Saucer, c1745 Rare Pair of Miniature "Cockerel" Teabowls & Saucers, Yongzheng, c1722-35 Rare Pair of Miniature "Cockerel" Teabowls & Saucers, Yongzheng, c1722-35

 


 

(The links in the images, and below, will take you to pages with large images and full descriptions.  Prices available upon request.)

 


 

VERY RARE CHINESE EXPORT SEMI-EGGSHELL "TOY" TEABOWL & SAUCER

"VALENTINE PATTERN", Early Qianlong, c1745

 

Painted with a garland-draped breadfruit tree, 2 kissing doves, 2 flaming hearts on the altar of love, a pair of dogs pining for their master, and three sheep; the foreground with Cupid's bow and a quiver of arrows, a pair of spears with a corded escallop shell (presumably as a helmet), and a lady's hat, and 2 longed-for friends.

  

The "Valentine" Pattern is dedicated to love and was originally given to Commodore George Anson on his circumnavigation of the world in 1743 – one of the most arduous voyages in the history of sea adventures.  Begun in 1740, its original purpose was to attack Spanish possessions in South America during the war of Jenkins' Ear.  The mission failed, losing both ships and crew – the crew even mutinying off the west coast of Chili (1741). Anson eventually collected all that remained onto his ship Centurion, and with perseverance, continued westward across the Pacific. Excessive scurvy and ship leakages forced a refuge on the small island of Tinian, near Saipan (1742).  There his crews found (and brought back) the nourishing breadfruit, of later fame in the Bounty's mutiny.  Continuing the westward journey, in 1743, he harbored at Canton, where he and his men were instrumental in saving Canton from a fire which would otherwise have destroyed the entire city. In recognition, a porcelain service – known as "Valentine Pattern" -  was commissioned for Anson, depicting items drawn from the sketches of his resident artist on that voyage. 

 

Saucer 3-3/16" Diameter; Teabowl 1-1/16" High x 1-7/8" Diameter

 

SOLD

 


 

RARE PAIR OF "TOY" CHINESE EXPORT SEMI-EGGSHELL TEABOWLS & SAUCERS

 "COCKEREL", Yongzheng, 1722-35

 

On thin eggshell porcelain in famille rose enamels, painted with a yellow and black cockerel with famille rose comb, beside a blue hollow rick issuing a blooming prunus, with a butterfly and other small flora within a thin iron red border

 

Cockerels represent courage, and the warmth and light of the universe.  Often a feather of a cockerel was placed on the chest of the deceased, to awaken them at first light for to their journey to the afterlife.  The white cockerel is considered a guardian against evil, while the red cockerel is a guardian against fire.

 

Saucer 3-1/4" Diameter; Teabowl 1-3/16" High x 2" Diameter

 

SOLD

 


 

"TOY" PORCELAINS

 

Collecting miniatures was a great favorite among early aristocracy.  Among the influences were the miniature Mogul paintings that flowed into Eastern Europe in the 1500's.  This affection moved quickly to The Netherlands and thence into England during the reign of Mary II (1689 -1694).  It is said that Her rooms at Kensington Palace were decorated with many small vases on displayed on gilded brackets and on little ledges, and on any and every available surface. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) stated that "The Queen (Mary) brought in the custom or humour, as I may call it, of furnishing houses with China-ware, which increased to a strange degree afterwards, piling their China upon the tops of cabinets, scrutores, and every chymney-piece, to the top of the ceilings, and every setting up of shelves for their China-ware, where they wanted such places, till it became a grievance in the experience of it, and even injurious to their families and estates".

 

I have also read that the some of first museums on the Continent were begun to house collections of miniatures, as their owners aged and wanted their small prizes to remain safe and honored in time.  I cannot substantiate that information, but it is indeed an interesting concept

 


 

Click Below to View

            OUR COLLECTION OF MINIATURE ("TOY") PORCELAINS

 

 

Click for More Information on Miniature Chinese Export Ceramics

(Left to Right) :

Diminutive Qianlong Rouge de Fer Coffee or Chocolate Cup, c1770

Pair of Kangxi Miniature Rouleau Vases, c1662-1722

Rare Pair of Yongzheng Semi-Eggshell "Cockerel" Teabowls & Saucers, c1722-35

Rare Semi-Eggshell "Valentine Pattern" Teabowl & Saucer, c1745

Pair of Ming Iron Red Painted Teabowls, c1590 - 1620

Qianlong Figure of a Monkey, c1750

Qianlong "Cockerel" Coffee Cup, c1750-60

 


 

Millicent Ford Creech

 

901-761-1163 (gallery) / 901-827-4668 (cell)

 

581 S. PERKINS ROAD / LAURELWOOD COLLECTION / MEMPHIS, TN 38117

Hours : Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment

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Of Journeys, Breadfruit & Love...Of Cockerels, Courage & Light ; Rare Toy  Chinese Export Teabowls & Saucers, "Valentine", & "Cockerel"