Lot 335
RARE PORCELAIN EWER IN THE FORM OF THE MONTGOLFIER BALLOON
MEIJI PERIOD
Auction: 7 November 2018 at 16:00 GMT
Description
modelled as a hot-air balloon tethered to a gondola, the prow of the boat rising to form the spout, the stern curving inwards to form the handle, the exterior of the balloon painted with the Seven Lucky Gods
Dimensions
24cm high
Footnote
Provenance:
Private Scottish collection; for more information, please see lot 171.
Note:
This lot is most likely a Japanese adaptation of the late 18th century Chinese Dehua blanc-de-chine model of the Montgolfier Balloon. Two examples of the Chinese model were sold by Sotheby's New York rooms on 13.09.2013, lot 317, sale N09541.
A very similar Japanese ewer, however painted with a map of Japan rather than the Seven Lucky Gods, can be found in the collection of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida.