the collection | ceramics | outstanding pieces
 

Jug
Enameled pottery on a tin-enamel white background decorated in cobalt blue
Puebla. Early 18 th Century
Size: 49 x 38 cm.

Both the shape and the bold decoration of this jug make it one of the finest pieces of ceramics from Puebla. The model is probably a blue and white ceramic jug from the kingdom of Kangxi (1662-1722), of the Qing dynasty. It is possible that the flowery design is inspired by Chinese damask silk, much prized in Mexico during that period.

The upper and lower parts of the central square are framed by an ornamental border of Islamic design, which was developed from the calligraphic motive alafia , which comes from the metallic glare of Hispano-Moorish crockery.

 

Basin
Enameled pottery on a tin-enamel white background decorated in cobalt blue.
Puebla. Early 18 th Century
Size: 18 x 66 cm.

This large and deep basin, with a flat bottom and slightly steep and flared sides, is an Islamic example introduced into Spain in the 9 th Century. Made in very different sizes, the basin was one of the most common shapes made by potters from Puebla during the industry's golden era, between 1650 and 1750; and was used as a baptismal font or washbasin.

 

Jug
Porcelain with underglazed blue enamel
China
1660-1680
33 x 24 cm

In the face of the fall of the patronage of the Chinese court during the so-called transition period (1660-1680), the decorative arts found their full expression through the literary tastes of the landowning aristocracy and an emerging commerce class. As such, novel themes emerged, specifically of a narrative and landscape nature. The jug shown here reflects these changes by showing a meeting of cultured people enjoying elegant pastimes on a garden terrace. The themes illustrated on the basin were created specifically to please the Chinese patrons of the era.

The juxtaposition of dark and light blue, and the special way in which fading is achieved, characterize the blue and white porcelain of the Chongzhen period (1628-43), up until the beginning of the Kangxi period (1662-1722). The representation of clouds as a series of superimposed horizontal lines that drift across the sky is also typical of the late transition period. The neck of the jug has four symbols of good fortune tied to floating ribbons.