Famille Rose Tureen, Cover and Stand (Made for Scandinavian Market)

This tureen is one of the most important and impressive pieces of Chinese export porcelain made in the 18th century; it is a masterpiece of the highest quality in both modelling and decoration. This rare set has an elaborate baroque form and is decorated in famille rose enamels. The tureen has mask handles and four scrolling feet. The cover has a high pointed knop, and the stand has a molded rim.

The shape is inspired by baroque silver of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The various eastern motifs, including the high-rising tent-like cover and the handles like plumed masks, were also popular on Meissen tureens of the period. A precise model in silver or ceramic has not been found, although some Meissen tureens have similarities that may reflect a common inspiration. The flat tray-like stand is similar to stands for some large baroque silver tureens.

For many years only one example of this type was known in a French collection with smaller feet, missing the tip of the knop, and lacking a stand. It was illustrated by Michel Beurdeley in his book Porcelain of the East India Companies in 1962. A few years ago, a complete example appeared from a Scandinavian aristocratic source—the descendants of those who had originally ordered it from China. That example is now in a major private collection. This example then appeared from a related source. No other examples are known.