Mustard Pot
ca. 1630-1645 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This mustard pot was produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China in the decade preceding the end of the Ming dynasty in 1644 or soon after. At this time the export activities from China to Europe were dominated by the Dutch East India Company, established in 1602.
The shape of this mustard pot is European, as many objects during this period. Models of European shapes and designs were specially provided by the trading companies to Chinese factories; this pot was probably copied after an original made in pewter. The silver mounts were added in Europe, following an established practice of the time to enrich porcelain objects with metal linings. The decoration is instead a traditional Chinese subject depicting a river landscape. Similar mustard-pots can be seen in Dutch still-life paintings of the 17th century.
The shape of this mustard pot is European, as many objects during this period. Models of European shapes and designs were specially provided by the trading companies to Chinese factories; this pot was probably copied after an original made in pewter. The silver mounts were added in Europe, following an established practice of the time to enrich porcelain objects with metal linings. The decoration is instead a traditional Chinese subject depicting a river landscape. Similar mustard-pots can be seen in Dutch still-life paintings of the 17th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Porcelain mustard pot painted in underglaze blue, with silver mounts, China, ca. 1630-1645 |
| Physical description | Porcelain mustard pot of globular shape with wide neck, everted lip and handle, standing on a high foot, painted in underglaze blue with a river landscape and bands of floral scrolls; silver mounts and hinge. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Basil Ionides Bequest |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This mustard pot was produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China in the decade preceding the end of the Ming dynasty in 1644 or soon after. At this time the export activities from China to Europe were dominated by the Dutch East India Company, established in 1602. The shape of this mustard pot is European, as many objects during this period. Models of European shapes and designs were specially provided by the trading companies to Chinese factories; this pot was probably copied after an original made in pewter. The silver mounts were added in Europe, following an established practice of the time to enrich porcelain objects with metal linings. The decoration is instead a traditional Chinese subject depicting a river landscape. Similar mustard-pots can be seen in Dutch still-life paintings of the 17th century. |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose and Luisa E. Mengoni Chinese Export Ceramics London: V&A Publishing, 2011, p.84-85, pl.115 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.67-1963 |
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| Record created | October 2, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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