Ewer

China

Qing dynasty (1644-1912), About 1790

  • Titles Ewer (Descriptive)
  • Artist China
  • Medium porcelain, Export ware
  • Dimensions 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 (with handle) x 2 1/8 in. Diam. (7 x 7 x 5.4 cm)
  • Credit Line Collection of the Art Fund, Inc. at the Birmingham Museum of Art; Catherine H. Collins Collection, AFI.299.1998
  • Work Type ewer
  • Classification Containers

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Rare set of four silver candlesticks each on a square plinth with canted corners chased with guilloche on the sides and flowers on the edges, the fluted foot rises to a baluster-shaped stem decorated with palmetto leaves and swags, the upper stem likewise fluted and supporting an urn-shaped socket decorated with similar leaves, with removable fluted nozzle
Oval black basalt intaglio with Hebe giving nectar to the eagle perched on an altar
Large, heavy ewer commonly known as "Sacred to Bacchus" resting on a square plinth with molded scrolling vines, the foot and lower body fluted and with bands of acanthus leaves around the foot and overlapping leaves around the middle of the body, with a smaller band of beading on the stem, the main body with garlands of leafy grape vines and bunches of grapes, on the should of the ewer sits a faun with his head bowed, he holds the horns of a ram in his hands as reins, his arms encompass the neck of the ewer, with a crossed double handle behind him.
Covered tripod urn, the tripod base of solid light blue jasper with a darker blue jasper dip and applied white jasper relief decoration, around the sides a band of wavescroll motifs below a fluted edge, with three chunky legs of solid white jasper with blue jasper relief decoration in the form of applied acanthus leaves on the front and bands of guilloche running down the sides, with an applied white lion's head with ring in its mouth at the top of each leg, the urn itself of solid white jasper with applied white and green jasper relief decoration, the lower body with white acanthus leaves and a small drop finial on the underside, the upper body engine-turned to create a blue and white checkerboard pattern with applied green quatrefoils on the white squares, with a band of bound reeds around the lip, the vase "sits" in a ring around its middle that is decorated with a vine of laurel leaves, the thick reversible cover likewise decorated in a checkerboard pattern on both sides, on one side with applied acanthus leaves and sunflower finial, on the other with overlapping leaves and a candleholder that is also decorated with the same checkerboard pattern and with a band of laurel leaves around its middle and stylized acanthus leaves on the bottom (this side is broken and not shown).