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Record Photography
Hot Water Dishes (2)
Record Photography

Hot Water Dishes (2)

Dateca. 1795
OriginAsia, China, Jingdezhen
Mediumporcelain, hard-paste
DimensionsOL: 13 7/8 and 13 15/16" OH: 2 1/8" (both) OW: 9 3/4" and 9 5/8"
Credit LineGift of Murray F. Nimmo
Object number2013-132,1&2
DescriptionPair of Chinese export porcelain oval hot water dishes featuring "urne mysterieuse". Each is painted in the center with a brown neoclassical urn, its stem outlining the profiles of the French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinett. Motif derives (Emerson 2000, 261) from a detail of the print "L'Urne mysterieuse" (1793-1800) memorializing the king. Above, two green and sepia willow trees conceal the profiles of their children, the Dauphin and Madame Royale. All are ringed by a gilt-milled salmon roundel edged in blue dots. The upper edge of the ridged rim bears a gilt band entwined with a blue enamel ribbon, interrupted by three colorful floral clusters. Edge is gilt and a spout and vent are affixed at either end, both pierced at sides, possibly for lid hinges or bail wires [?]. The vent is pierced with a gilt cash medallion.

Label TextThese hot water dishes decorated with the "Mysterious Urn" motif are representative of objects with a covert monarchy-sympathetic motif made popular during the rise of the French Revolution.
ProvenanceMurray F. Nimmo