Chinese export candlesticks decorated in the Imari pattern, Kangxi.

Rare pair of Chinese export porcelain candlesticks of European silver form decorated in the Imari pattern with flowers, c. 1720, Kangxi reign, Qing dynasty, h. 17 cm, 6¾ in. (crack to base, both sticks re-stuck) 2.7037

Provenance: Benjamin F. Edwards III Collection, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, inventory no. 5411.

Illustrated: 100 Years of Chinese Export Porcelain, by A. Varela Santos, 2014/2015, cat. 53.

Literature:

• Chinese Export Porcelain, by D.F.L. Scheurleer, fig. 115 for one similar candlestick;

• The Jay Dorf Collection of Chinese Export Porcelain, Christie’s sale catalogue 17th October 1966, for a similar pair decorated in opaque enamels.

◆ This is another European form taken from a metal, precious or not, wood or faience original which was copied to great effect in China. Of great technical difficulty to manufacture it is a testament to the virtuosity of the anonymous Chinese potter.

中國外銷瓷伊萬里花卉紋燭臺一對, 歐洲銀器器型, 約1720年, 清康熙, 高15 釐米, 6 英吋。

插图: 《百年中国外销瓷》 阿.瓦瑞拉.桑托斯, 2014/2015, 目录 53。

藏品出處: Benjamin E Edward III之藏品, 美國, 密蘇里州, 聖路易斯市, 庫存編號: 3547/5335。

參考文獻:

•《中國外銷瓷》，作者D.F.L. Scheurleer，見圖115一件相似燭臺；

•《Jay Dorf收藏中國外銷瓷》，1966年10月17日佳士得拍賣圖錄，見一對施不透明釉近似器。

◆ 這是被中國仿製到極致的另一歐洲器型, 取自于金屬、 (無論其貴重與否) 木材、或彩陶原器。燒造此類器皿技術難度極大, 是默默無聞的中國瓷工的藝術鑒賞力是一充分佐證。