Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Blue White Brush Washer to the 19th Century.
Late Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (c. 1875–1908)
Provenance: The G.S. May Private Collection, London
" Measuring 22.5 cm at its widest diameter and weighing a substantial 1.1 kilograms, the piece possesses a gravity and presence intended for the refined studio of a literati official. The compressed globular form features an elegantly inverted rim, designed to prevent water from splashing during the rinsing of calligraphy brushes.
The exterior is masterfully painted in vibrant tones of cobalt blue with a continuous frieze of two Imperial Phoenixes (Fenghuang) soaring amidst a dense ground of flowering peonies and scrolling foliage. The painting quality is superb, exhibiting the "watercolour" wash technique where the cobalt varies in tone to create depth and movement in the plumage.
Unusually, the interior is also richly decorated, featuring a central medallion of a stylized floral star surrounded by scrolling vines, allowing the owner to admire the artwork even while the vessel was in use.
The Mark: The base bears a finely written six-character apocryphal mark of Emperor Chenghua within a double circle.
In the Guangxu period, this mark was used as a deliberate tribute to the Ming Dynasty’s "Golden Age" of porcelain.
The Foot Rim: The unglazed foot rim is "square-cut" and has developed a natural, deep orange iron-red oxidation at the glaze line—a hallmark of genuine 19th-century firing.
The Patina: The base retains an "honest" patina of accumulated carbon and mineral deposits, consistent with over a century of handling and domestic use.
Condition and Provenance
Offered in excellent antique condition.
The base retains the paper collection label: "The G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London, No. 619," providing a rare and ironclad Victorian-era provenance that is highly coveted by modern international collectors.
Technical Specifications
Diameter: 22.5 cm (Widest) / 17.5 cm (Rim)
Weight: 1,100 grams
Material: Underglaze Blue and White Porcelain
Origin: Jingdezhen, China
Period: Late 19th Century (Guangxu)
Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Blue White Brush Washer to the 19th Century.
Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page
An Important Large 'Phoenix & Peony' Blue and White Brush Washer (Bi-xi)
