Lot 4 A Chinese blue and white lotus leaf-shape 'Aquatic Animals' straw cup

A Chinese blue and white lotus leaf-shape 'Aquatic Animals' straw cup

Wanli

未知

€ 3.000 – € 6.000

WDH: H. 6 cm, W. 9,5 cm, D. 8,3 cm

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Modelled after a lotus leaf, the cup with drinking tube stands on three short feet and is painted in underglaze cobalt blue. The hollow, naturalistically curved stem serves as the drinking tube. The undulating rim is applied with small lotus buds and curling foliage, further emphasising the botanical inspiration of the design.
The interior is delicately painted with the radiating veins of a lotus leaf, centred by a small modelled crab, while the exterior is painted with crabs, freshwater prawns and small fish swimming amongst aquatic plants. The lively composition reflects the late Ming appreciation for naturalistic subjects drawn from ponds and marshes, with the lotus, crustaceans and fish forming an auspicious combination associated with abundance, harmony and the changing seasons.
此杯作荷葉形，下承三短足，以青花為飾。一側中空曲柄兼作吸管，線條婉轉。口沿起伏自然，貼塑小荷苞及卷曲枝葉，更添荷塘意趣。
杯內細繪荷葉葉脈，中央飾一小蟹；外壁繪蟹、河蝦及小魚悠游於水草之間，構圖生動活潑，展現晚明瓷器對荷塘水族等自然題材的喜愛。荷花、魚蝦與蟹相映成趣，亦寓意富足和諧、四時順遂。
Provenance:
Vanderven Oriental Art, 's Hertogenbosch.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 3 November 1994 and accompanied by a copy of their original invoice and valuation report. (see added scans)