This salt dish was produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China during the Wanli period (1573-1619). At this time many objects were made after European models, which were specially provided by the trading companies to Chinese porcelain factories. The shape of this piece derives from an English standing salt of about 1580; the decoration is instead a traditional Chinese subject depicting pairs of birds and qilin, one of the four mythical animals in Chinese cosmology. Physical description Porcelain salt dish, hexagonal, shaped as an English standing salt, each side painted in underglaze blue alternately with a pair of birds and a qilin in a landscape; diaper pattern on the border. The base has four feet shaped as monster heads. Place of Origin China (made) Date ca. 1580-1620 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Porcelain painted in underglaze blue Dimensions Height: 14.3 cm From register (5.6 in.), Diameter: 13.7 cm From register (4.4 in.) Descriptive line Porcelain salt dish painted in underglaze blue, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1580-1620 Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Hobson, R.L. The Wares of the Ming Dynasty. London: Benn Brothers Limited, 1923, p. 97 Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, pp.21-22, pl.14 Labels and date Salt dish Porcelain with decoration in underglaze blue In the form of an English silver standing salt of about 1580. About 1580-1620. Salting Bequest [1987] Materials Porcelain Techniques Underglazing; Moulding Subjects depicted Qilin; Birds; Diaper-work Categories Porcelain; Ceramics; Food vessels & Tableware Collection East Asia Collection
This salt dish was produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China during the Wanli period (1573-1619). At this time many objects were made after European models, which were specially provided by the trading companies to Chinese porcelain factories. The shape of this piece derives from an English standing salt of about 1580; the decoration is instead a traditional Chinese subject depicting pairs of birds and qilin, one of the four mythical animals in Chinese cosmology. Physical description Porcelain salt dish, hexagonal, shaped as an English standing salt, each side painted in underglaze blue alternately with a pair of birds and a qilin in a landscape; diaper pattern on the border. The base has four feet shaped as monster heads. Place of Origin China (made) Date ca. 1580-1620 (made) Artist/maker Unknown Materials and Techniques Porcelain painted in underglaze blue Dimensions Height: 14.3 cm From register (5.6 in.), Diameter: 13.7 cm From register (4.4 in.) Descriptive line Porcelain salt dish painted in underglaze blue, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1580-1620 Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no) Hobson, R.L. The Wares of the Ming Dynasty. London: Benn Brothers Limited, 1923, p. 97 Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, pp.21-22, pl.14 Labels and date Salt dish Porcelain with decoration in underglaze blue In the form of an English silver standing salt of about 1580. About 1580-1620. Salting Bequest [1987] Materials Porcelain Techniques Underglazing; Moulding Subjects depicted Qilin; Birds; Diaper-work Categories Porcelain; Ceramics; Food vessels & Tableware Collection East Asia Collection