Vanderven Oriental Art
TEFAF Maastrcht 15-24 March 2013
Hexagonal Phoenix Head Ewers
China, Early Kangxi Period, c. 1700 Height 25 cm
The first piece of Chinese porcelain ever encountered by Floris van der Ven
was a blue and white plate from the Kangxi period. Its beauty fascinated him
and has had a great influence on his taste. It is fitting then that Kangxi should
be a focus on the stand at Vanderven Oriental Art at TEFAF 2013 (stand 102).
TEFAF takes place at the MECC, Maastricht from 15-24 March 2013.
Blue and White porcelain attained a height of technical excellence during the
Kangxi period (1662-1722) never matched before or since. It is characterised
by a pure, glossy white body and intense violet blue painting that was highly
skilled. These characteristics were seen both on official items destined for the
palace and also on export wares.
There are a number of exceptional blue and white pieces included on the
stand of Vanderven Oriental Art and amongst those is a pair of hexagonal
Phoenix head ewers, which are from the early Kangxi period, circa 1700. Early
Kangxi period ewers are a variation on the Arabic kendi – a ewer with no
handle. These types of exotically shaped ewers were very popular in Europe
and were very expensive in their day. A further highlight is a conical bowl,
c.1700 which shows an exquisite example of a frequently used motif in
Chinese art, two weiqi or chess players under a pine tree. Weiqi playing is
favoured by the literati and is considered one of the four basic intellectual
abilities. The floral scroll on the inner rim indicates the bowl was intended for
liquid such as soup, rather than rice.
Conical Bowl, China, Kangxi period (1662-1722) c. 1700 Height 9cm Diameter 22.5 cm
A Famille Verte Yen Yen vase with Wild Geese, circa 1710-1720, is a superb
example of its type, with a wide trumpet neck on a slightly splayed foot. It is
naturalistically decorated in famille verte palette highlighted with sepia
enamel. In Chinese culture wild geese are regarded as the most virtuous of
all birds, as they love and help each other, observing order and keeping alert
to danger. The combination of
reeds and wild geese reflects a
typical motif known as luyan.
On this vase, the geese are not
flying, which implies wealth,
while retaining a modest and
low profile lifestyle. Also in
famille verte is a Café au Lait
plate and bowl, c. 1700, with
carved underglaze decoration
of lotus blossoms. The plate
and bowl are both decorated
with the same theme of
butterflies, birds and various
blossoms, of which the lotus is
the most prominent. The
inventory marks (N.138.l) on the
underside indicate that these
pieces where once part of the
collection of Augustus the
Famille Verte Yen Yen Vase with Wild Geese
Height 45 cm China, Kangxi period (1662-1722) c.
1710-1720
Strong in Dresden.
Vanderven Oriental Art is also known for their exceptional early terracotta
pieces. A further highlight of the stand will be an unglazed caparisoned
Ferghana horse. From the Tang period,(618-907) it is decorated with a
traditional saddlecloth and elaborate and finely detailed rosettes.
TEFAF 2013 is the first outing at TEFAF of Vanderven Oriental Art under the sole
ownership of Floris van der Ven.
February 2013
For further information please
contact
Diana Cawdell/Abi Gold
Cawdell Douglas
10-11 Lower John Street
London
W1F 9EB
T: 020 7439 2822
E: [email protected]
W: www.cawdelldouglas.com
Notes to Editors
Vanderven Oriental Art is owned and run by Floris
van der Ven. Vanderven & Vanderven Oriental Art
became Vanderven Oriental Art on 1st October
2012 on the retirement of Clemens and Neeltje
van der Ven.
Vanderven Oriental Art
Stand 102
TEFAF Maastrcht 15-24 March 2013
Nachtegaalslaantje 1
5211 LE ’s-Hertogenbosch - the Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]