GENERAL DESCRIPTION
During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, ribbed wall fountains with matching domed covers such as this, along with their accompanying oval basins, were made and decorated by the hundreds at Jingdezhen (Ching-tê Chên), China. They were a popular item of everyday use among the wealthy in Europe, who washed their hands in them before meals. Most of the basins have not survived.
The depiction of sea life on this famille verte example, has naturalistically portrayed fish and crabs in iron-red and purple, probably a derivation of traditional Chinese animal designs. Chinese legend is the inspiration for the confronted fish at the top that have been transformed into dragons. The scallop shell's stripes are similar to those on a pair of Reves kendi-form bottles (see 1985.R.914 and 1985.R.915). A metal spigot protrudes from the mouth of a monster mask that is flanked by a wide trellis-pattern border which has shrimp in the reserves. Other fountains with this type of fluted body also exist that depict decorative schemes featuring birds and flowers (see 1985.R.844.A-B).
Since the wall fountain is not a traditional Chinese form, a model must have been sent from Europe for copying. Once the Asian versions were exported to Europe, they in turn inspired copies in tin-glazed earthenware manufactured at factories in cities such as Strasbourg, France.
Adapted from
- Dallas Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1995), 97.
- Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1985), 190.
NOTES
TMS Updates
provenance
search dates
text entry
place of origin
Handwritten note/letter found in the object file on Luxor Hotels letterhead addressed to Vicki (dated January 4, 1986).
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
The Metropolitan Museum of Art~Read more about Chinese Export Porcelain
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1985.R.843.A-C
Category
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AND
General Description
During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, ribbed wall fountains with matching domed covers such as this, along with their accompanying oval basins, were made and decorated by the hundreds at Jingdezhen (Ching-tê Chên), China. They were a popular item of everyday use among the wealthy in Europe, who washed their hands in them before meals. Most of the basins have not survived.
The depiction of sea life on this famille verte example, has naturalistically portrayed fish and crabs in iron-red and purple, probably a derivation of traditional Chinese animal designs. Chinese legend is the inspiration for the confronted fish at the top that have been transformed into dragons. The scallop shell's stripes are similar to those on a pair of Reves kendi-form bottles (see 1985.R.914 and 1985.R.915). A metal spigot protrudes from the mouth of a monster mask that is flanked by a wide trellis-pattern border which has shrimp in the reserves. Other fountains with this type of fluted body also exist that depict decorative schemes featuring birds and flowers (see 1985.R.844.A-B).
Since the wall fountain is not a traditional Chinese form, a model must have been sent from Europe for copying. Once the Asian versions were exported to Europe, they in turn inspired copies in tin-glazed earthenware manufactured at factories in cities such as Strasbourg, France.
Adapted from
- Dallas Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1995), 97.
- Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1985), 190.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
TMS Updates
provenance
search dates
text entry
place of origin
Handwritten note/letter found in the object file on Luxor Hotels letterhead addressed to Vicki (dated January 4, 1986).
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1985.R.843.A-C
source file
object_notes_1_a-0094.xml.nores