Famille Verte Ovoid Jar with Courtly Figures

A large famille verte ovoid jar, painted with two reserves of…
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A large famille verte ovoid jar, painted with two reserves of courtly figures engaged in outdoor pursuits on a cracked ice ground with flowers and lattice work, flanked by a pair of lion mask ring handles. Height 44 cm. Provenance: The Estate of William H Blakemore, Sydney

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  • Oviform /ovoid - The outline loosely resembling the shape of an egg.
  • Chinese Cracked Ice Motif - The Chinese cracked ice decorative motif is a traditional design that was commonly used in Chinese art and architecture, particularly in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1912). The motif is characterized by a pattern of small, irregular cracks or fissures that resemble broken ice.

    The cracked ice motif was often used in a variety of decorative arts, such as pottery, porcelain, lacquerware, and furniture. It was also used in architectural elements, such as floor tiles, roof tiles, and wall panels. The motif was typically created by carving or incising the surface of the material, and then filling the cracks with a contrasting color, such as black or gold.

    The cracked ice motif symbolizes the idea of "coolness" in Chinese culture, and was often used in architectural elements to create a sense of coolness and shade, especially in hot climates. In decorative arts, it is considered as an elegant and refined design that evokes the natural beauty of ice.
  • Lion Mask - The lion mask has been used for centuries in various forms of art and design, including furniture, silver, and ceramics, and is usually y depicted as a stylized representation of the face of a lion, often with an open mouth and protruding tongue. and is often used as a handle, knob, or other decorative element.

    In furniture design, lion masks were popular in the neoclassical and Empire styles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They were often used as decorative elements on the legs or arms of chairs, as well as on cabinet and drawer pulls. It was also used as a handle, knob, or other decorative element.

    In silverware design, lion masks were often applied to tea and coffee pots, as well as on candlesticks, snuff boxes, and other small silver items. The lion mask was often used in combination with other neoclassical motifs, such as laurel wreaths or acanthus leaves, to create a sense of grandeur and classical elegance.

    In ceramics, lion masks were often depicted in relief, and were sometimes used in combination with other decorative elements, such as garlands or swags.

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