1985.R.855, Tureen stand, porcelain, China, c. 1750-1760

The naturalistically painted carp, which seems to approach us three-dimensionally, provides the only color on this shaped tureen stand or platter outside of the gold fishnet and spearhead border and the four floral sprigs. Perhaps inspired by a Portuguese Baroque silver or faience prototype, this stand was probably made for the Portuguese market. No doubt it went under a fish-shaped molded tureen intended for fish soups and stews. The life-like carp with its rose tail, the vigorous twist of his body, his delicate pectoral fins, the endearing wide-eyed innocence of his whiskered head, is a delightful tour-de-force. 

Dallas Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1995), 200.

Until 1985: Emery Reves (1904-1983) and Wendy Reves (1916-2007) (owned jointly), La Pausa, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France [1]

From 1985: Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, gift of Wendy Reves (1916-2007) [1]

[1] According to: Olivier Meslay and Martha MacLeod, From Chanel to Reves (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 2015), 4-5.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art~Read more about Chinese Export Porcelain

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