Ewer, porcelain painted in underglaze blue cobalt blue, China (Jingdezhen), with silver mount, England, ca. 1600-10

Ewer made of porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue, with silver gilt mount. Porcelain in the form of a kendi, decorated in Kraak style with panels containing two horses, the head of a ruyi scepter with ribbons, and two branches of penoy; the neck is decorated with vertical palm-leaves. The mount consists of a curved handle engraved with arabesque foliage, domed lid hinged to the handle, straight spout ending in a wolf's head, and moulded foot decorated with leaves and fruit in low relief, united by four moulded straps with hinge-joints. The lid has a moulded finial and floral thumb piece, and shuts on a scalloped lip-mount. Marks on mount and handle.

Given by Dr Louis C. G. Clarke

Originally came from Bell Hall, Belbourghton, Leicesterhsire, where it was found in 1916 by Bernard Rackham.

Ceramics exported from China may be fitted with metal mounts in Europe to further enhance their value and appeal. The body of this ewer is an early seventeenth century Chinese kendi decorated in Kraak style. English silversmiths ingeniously converted the kendi into a ewer by adding a silver gilt mount, which includes a handle and long spout terminating in a wolf's head. The mount bears an unidentified maker's mark 'RP'. This ewer originally came from Bell Hall, Belbourghton, Leicestershire, where it was found in 1916 by the V&A's expert on ceramics Bernard Rackham (1876-1964), and donated by Dr Louis C. G. Clarke.

M.220-1916