Object Notes

In the late 17th century, aristocratic European taste moved away from imported blue and white porcelains, and people were willing to pay more for the polychrome enamels exported to Jingdezhen.

In the late 17th century, aristocratic European taste moved away from imported blue and white porcelains, and people were willing to pay more for the polychrome enamels exported to Jingdezhen.

In the late 17th century, aristocratic European taste moved away from imported blue and white porcelains, and people were willing to pay more for the polychrome enamels exported to Jingdezhen.

In the late 17th century, aristocratic European taste moved away from imported blue and white porcelains, and people were willing to pay more for the polychrome enamels exported to Jingdezhen.

In the late 17th century, aristocratic European taste moved away from imported blue and white porcelains, and people were willing to pay more for the polychrome enamels exported to Jingdezhen.

This bowl, or tureen, as well as its lid and stand are peach-form and have naturalistic twig and leaf handles. The lid is relief-molded with peaches. Each piece is finely painted; the selection of colors is lovely and the asymmetric design of peonies, chrysanthemums and other flowers is imaginative. 

Although its unusual shape is probably copied from Middle Eastern water pipes, or kendi, and they are sometimes described as nursing bottles, colorful porcelains, like this one, may have been bought by Europeans merely as decorative objects.

Introduced into Europe during the 17th century, tea drinking was a popular custom by the middle of the 18th century. Tea, spices, silks, and porcelain made up most of the cargoes of the sailing ships of the Dutch, English, Danish, Swedish, and Portugese East India Companies. Wealthy Europeans demanded more varied and colorful tea wares than the familiar blue and white Canton.

Although its unusual shape is probably copied from Middle Eastern water pipes, or kendi, and they are sometimes described as nursing bottles, colorful porcelains, like this one, may have been bought by Europeans merely as decorative objects.

On display in almost every room in the Reves wing at the Dallas Museum of Art are pieces of Chinese export porcelain assembled principally by Wendy Reves. The collection includes some 363 objects.