JORGE WELSH
is exhibiting at MASTERPIECE FAIR
London, 27 June to 3 July, 2013
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Roosters
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
(height: 35.5 cm)
Jorge Welsh Oriental Porcelain & Works of Art will participate in the Masterpiece fair in
London, which will take place in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, from June
27th to July 3rd, 2013. For seven days, international galleries from around the world will exhibit
some of their best works of art, including paintings (old masters, modern and contemporary),
sculpture, furniture, porcelain and jewellery, amongst others.
Specialising in oriental porcelain and works of art related to the Portuguese and European
expansion, Jorge Welsh Oriental Porcelain and Works of Art will present high quality works
of art from Africa (Afro-Portuguese art), India (Indo-Portuguese Art), China (domestic and
export market porcelain) and Japan (namban art) at stand no. C30.
The highlights include:
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Roosters decorated in overglaze enamels of the famille rose palette
and manufactured in the Qing dynasty, during the Qianlong period (1736-1795).
In China, the rooster is an auspicious creature, which is ascribed with five virtues: civil culture,
martial qualities, courage, benevolence and trustworthiness. Roosters were a frequent subject for
both the domestic and export arts in China. Export market rooster figurines are known in
polychrome overglaze enamels and blanc de Chine wares. Blanc de Chine figurines were frequently
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made during the late 17th and early 18th century. A large variety of Chinese porcelain model
birds were exported to Europe during the 18th century, including roosters, doves, cranes,
pheasants, hawks, parrots and ducks, amongst others. A similar pair of roosters painted in
different enamels is in the British Museum in London.
Large Chinese Porcelain Dish
Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period (1723-1735)
(diameter: 43.7 cm)
Chinese Porcelain Figure Group
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795),
ca. 1750-1770
(height: 22 cm)
Large Chinese Porcelain Dish decorated in overglaze enamels of the famille rose palette and
manufactured in the Qing dynasty, during the Yongzheng period (1723-1735).
Although the famille rose colour palette remained popular throughout the Qianlong period (17361795), some of the finest pieces were made during the earlier Yongzheng reign. First appearing
during the early 1720s and usually dominated by an opaque rose-pink colour, this palette soon
replaced famille verte as the principal colour scheme used for the decoration of export porcelain.
A slightly smaller dish with extremely similar decoration to this piece is in the
Historisches Museum in Frankfurt, together with another dish made in Höchst, Germany, which
copies this design.
Chinese Porcelain Figure Group decorated in overglaze enamels of the famille rose palette and
manufactured in the Qing dynasty, during the Qianlong period (1736-1795), in ca. 1750-1770.
Porcelain models of Chinese and European figures, as well as various animals and birds, were
fashionable export items during the 18th century as a result of increasing demand for ‘curiosities’
in Europe at this time. These more complicated items were often made in separate parts using
moulds, after which they would be stuck together and finished by hand. The present figure
group is unusual, and notable for the quality of the modelling and decoration. Another example
of this figure group was formerly in the Yves Mallié de Fonfais Collection in Paris.
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Chinese Porcelain Baluster Vase and Cover
Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period (1723-1735)
(height: 87 cm)
Chinese Porcelain Baluster Vase and Cover decorated in overglaze enamels of the famille rose
palette and manufactured in the Qing dynasty, during the Yongzheng period (1723-1735)
Large, richly enamelled porcelain pieces such as this example were some of the most expensive
and exclusive porcelain produced for the export market during the Yongzheng period. The form
of this piece is extremely complex, combining moulded relief sections with recessed panels. In
the West, such vases would have been used almost exclusively for decoration, placed on side
tables, staircases or around fireplaces. Other comparable octagonal baluster vases were recorded
in the former A. E. Cumberbatch Collection and in the Cleveland Museum of Art in the U.S.A.
Jorge Welsh and Luísa Vinhais, with galleries in London and Lisbon, are internationally
recognized antique dealers specialising in Chinese porcelain (domestic and export market
porcelain) and works of art related to the European and Portuguese expansion. Their expertise in
this area is reflected not only in their activity as international art dealers and advisors to
collectors, but also in their contributions to the academic world through Jorge Welsh Books in
the organization of conferences, promotion of research and scholarship, as well as the
publication of reference books and catalogues on their area of expertise.
Works of Art from Jorge Welsh Oriental Porcelain and Works of Art in London and Jorge
Welsh Porcelana Oriental e Obras de Arte, Lda in Lisbon can be found in museums, institutions
and private collections throughout the world.
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For information contact:
Jorge Welsh Oriental Porcelain & Works of Art
116 Kensington Church
Rua da Misericórdia, 43
Street
1200-270 Lisbon
London W8 4BH
Portugal
United Kingdom
T: +351 21 395 3375
T: +44 (020) 7229 2140
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.jorgewelsh.com
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday:
9:30-5:30
Saturday by appointment
Monday to Saturday:
10:30-7:00pm
Both Jorge Welsh galleries, in London and in Lisbon, will remain open during Masterpiece fair
Masterpiece
Jorge Welsh, stand C30
27 June to 3 July, 2013
South Grounds, Chelsea Embankment,
The Royal Hospital Chelsea
London SW3 4SR, United Kindom
T: +44 (0) 207 499 7470
Opening hours:
Thursday, 27 June; Friday, 28 June; Monday, 1 July and Wednesday, 3 July, 2013: 11:00-9:00pm
Saturday, 29 June and Sunday, 30 June, 2013: 11:00-7:00pm
Tuesday, 2 July, 2013: 11:00-6:00pm
All works of art presented at Masterpiece are previously examined by a vetting committee that
evaluates the quality, condition and authenticity of each work of art on display, ensuring all
confidence to the buyer.
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