Images(2)

Hot Water Dishes (2)

Dateca. 1795

OriginAsia, China, Jingdezhen

MediumHard-paste porcelain

DimensionsOL: 13 7/8 and 13 15/16"
OH: 2 1/8" (both)
OW: 9 3/4" and 9 5/8"

Credit LineGift of Murray F. Nimmo

Object number2013-132,1&2

DescriptionPair of Chinese export porcelain oval hot water dishes featuring "urne mysterieuse". Each is painted in the center with a brown neoclassical urn, its stem outlining the profiles of the French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinett. Motif derives (Emerson 2000, 261) from a detail of the print "L'Urne mysterieuse" (1793-1800) memorializing the king. Above, two green and sepia willow trees conceal the profiles of their children, the Dauphin and Madame Royale. All are ringed by a gilt-milled salmon roundel edged in blue dots. The upper edge of the ridged rim bears a gilt band entwined with a blue enamel ribbon, interrupted by three colorful floral clusters. Edge is gilt and a spout and vent are affixed at either end, both pierced at sides, possibly for lid hinges or bail wires [?]. The vent is pierced with a gilt cash medallion.
Label TextThese hot water dishes decorated with the "Mysterious Urn" motif are representative of objects with a covert monarchy-sympathetic motif made popular during the rise of the French Revolution.ProvenanceMurray F. Nimmo