Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain Dish From the Collection of Anthony du Boulay

Kangxi 1662 - 1722

A Small Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain ‘Supper Set’ Dish , Dehua, Fujian Province, Kangxi (1662-1722). This small moulded heavy Blanc de Chine dish has the top edge extending outwards to join the other dishes to make a circular set. The outer edge a stylised continuous ‘thunder cloud’ design impressed into the clay. The center of the base has a small neat impressed seal-mark. The colour, depending on the light is white colour (daylight) with only a feint tint of blue/green. 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 Blanc de Chine 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 Blanc de Chine porcelain.

See below for more photographs and references.

SOLD

Anthony Du Boulay

Anthony du Boulay

Condition: In very good condition, very light wear.
Size: Diameter 12.7 cm (5 inches)
Provenance: Anthony du Boulay 1929-2022, Christie's 1949-1980; for many years Director of the Ceramics Department and for thirteen years President of Christie's, Geneva; FSA. From 1981, for a number of years Honorary Adviser on Ceramics to the National Trust . He served several terms on council of the Oriental Ceramic Society; also Chairman of the French Porcelain Society and Chairman of the DNHAS (Dorset County Museum).
Stock number: 26134

Photos

Information

Anthony du Boulay 1929-2022.

I’ll miss this extraordinary witty man. Such an enquiring mind, very intelligent, someone who liked to stir things up; mostly when needed but sometimes for the fun of it. I remember many of his wry comments at OCS committee meeting. He had a great eye and great determination.

A few of his achievements:

Christie's 1949-1980; for many years Director of the Ceramics Department and for thirteen years President of Christie's, Geneva; FSA. From 1981, for a number of years Honorary Adviser on Ceramics to the National Trust . He served several terms on council of the Oriental Ceramic Society; also Chairman of the French Porcelain Society and Chairman of the DNHAS (Dorset County Museum).

Publications: “Chinese Porcelain: Pleasures and Treasures”, 1963; “Christie’s Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics”, 1984; “Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society”, vol. 55, 1990-1991, pp. 83-102, ‘The Summer Palace, Beijing 1900: An Inventory by Noel Du Boulay, commandant 1900-1901’; John Ayers, J.V.G. Mallet, Oliver Impey, Anthony du Boulay and Lawrence Smith, catalogue, “Porcelain for Palaces”.