A Kangxi Blanc de Chine Group Depicting Two Rabbits

c.1690 - 1710

An Unsual Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain Group, Dehua Kilns c.1690-1710. The pair of rabbits are shown on a hexagonal base which has impressed prunus designs. The records of the Dashwood sale in September 1703, an English Supra-cargo, include 10,800 `square toys` (seals), the other 5,400 `toys` were models of animals, `men on beasts` and the 490 `small white dogs` were priced at 1d each (Geoffrey A. Godden, see references).

SOLD

Condition
In excellent condition, a very minor glaze crack to one corner.
Size
Height 4.1 cm (1 1/2 inches)
Provenance
From a private English collection of Blanc de Chine porcelain.
Stock number
25656
References
For other Blanc de Chine models or 'toys' see : Oriental Export Market Porcelain and its Influence on European Wares (Geoffrey A. Godden, Granada, 1979.ISBN 0246110570) page 272, plate 200. Information from Godden`s book ; The records of the Dashwood sale in September 1703, an English Supra-cargo, include 10,800 `square toys` (seals), the other 5,400 `toys` were models of animals, `men on beasts` and the 490 `small white dogs` were priced at 1d each.

Photos

Information

A Very Rare Vung Tau Cargo Blanc de Chine Fu Dog Group, Kangxi Period c.1690 - 1700.
Two A Very Rare Vung Tau Cargo Blanc de Chine Fu Dog Group, Kangxi Period c.1690 - 1700. Displayed with the present piece and its companion.

 

Blanc de Chine Porcelain
The porcelain known in the West as Blanc de Chine was produced 300 miles south of the main Chinese kiln complex of Jingdezhen. The term refers to the fine grain white porcelain made at the kilns situated near Dehua in the coastal province of Fujian, these kilns also produced other types of porcelain. A rather freely painted blue and white ware, porcelain with brightly coloured `Swatow` type enamels as well as pieces with a brown iron-rich glaze.

However it is the white blanc de Chine wares that have made these kilns famous. The quality and colour achieved by the Dehua potters was partly due to the local porcelain stone, it was unusually pure and was used without kaolin being added. This, combined with a low iron content and other chemical factors within the body as well as the glaze, enabled the potters to produce superb ivory-white porcelain.