Chinese Blue and White Garlic Neck Bottle Vase, WanLi period 1620 - 1640

Unknown artist

Porcelain
30 cm
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

• About the artwork
  A blue and white decorated pear-shaped bottle with a flower decoration. The shape of the top is commonly referred to as garlic-button. These type of bottles were imported in Holland from the beginning of the 17th century onwards.
  In the registers of the VOC pear-shaped and “Persian” bottles are frequently recorded. Although they are mentioned separately the distinction is not clear.
  As opposed to plates and bowls in kraak-porcelain, hollow shapes like these are not made as delicately and thin as is typical for this type of Chinaware. Nevertheless it is assumed that these bottles are to be categorized as kraak-porselein because of the decoration in compartments.
  The bottleneck is comparatively short relating to the body. This indicates a somewhat later date.
  Several bottles with a similar shape and decoration were salvaged from the Hatcher wreck, a junk that sank around 1643. Therefore this bottle can be roughly dated to this period. The museum Princessehof in Leeuwarden own a similar specimen (inv.nr. GMP 1970-79).
  It is remarkable that the garlic-button is still intact. Often this knob was removed in Indonesia and ground to a powder that was used in a tonic.
• About the artist

  It might happen that an artist or maker is unknown.

  Some works are not to be determined by whom it is made or it is made by (a group of) craftsmen. Examples are statues from the Ancient Time, furniture, mirroirs, or signatures that are not clear or readible but as well some works are not signed at all.

  As well you can find the following description:

  •“Attributed to ….” In their opinion probably a work by the artist, at least in part

  •“Studio of ….” or “Workshop of” In their opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision

  •“Circle of ….” In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil

  •“Style of ….” or “Follower of ….” In their opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil; may be contemporary or nearly contemporary

  •“Manner of ….” In their opinion a work in the style of the artist but of a later date

  •“After ….” In their opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist

  •“Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed” In their opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt

  •"With signature ….”, “With date ….”, “With inscription….” or “Bears signature/date/inscription” in their opinion the signature/ date/ inscription has been added by someone other than the artist