This porcelain helmut-shaped cream jug, decorated in the Imari palette of blue, iron red and gilt, stands 4-1/4″ tall. It was made in China during the Qianlong period (1736-1795.) The hand painted decoration of floral sprigs and alternating blue panels suggests it was made for export to the Persian market.
At one point in its early life, the original porcelain handle snapped off, leaving it impossible to gracefully pass the cream at the dining table. It was brought to a tinker or metalsmith who fashioned this ornate replacement handle, possibly repurposed from an existing silver item. The delicate silver replacement is more ornate than the original branch-form handle, but adds just the right touch of class and whimsy.
The center jug, with similar form and decoration, shows what the original handle on my jug might have looked like.
Photo courtesy of Christie’s
Tags: Chinese, Imari, metal handle, porcelain, Qianlong
Love your posts. This one too!
What an elegant repair job! I like it better than the original. Thanks for your great posts.
Andrew, another interesting piece. I like the idea that the handle was a marriage from an ill fated piece of silver. Is the blue addition what is called clombering(sp), and if so wouldn’t this “Dutching” it up make it destined for the European market?