Fine Blue and White Porcelain Spoon

c. 1850
$188 USD
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Dimensions
W: 4.75" D: 2.0" H: 1.75"
Materials
Porcelain
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
BNSPECIALF
Estimated Shipping
$20

A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th-century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday eating utensil. Used in China as early as the Shang dynasty (1600 - 1046 B.C.), spoons predated chopsticks and remained the most common utensil until the 10th century. The spoon's simple form is patterned with intricate trailing vines, imparting a remarkable sense of movement and elevating it from a functional tool to a sculptural object.

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Blue & White Porcelain

Soon after its development in the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD), blue-and-white underglaze porcelain became a favorite of the imperial court. Its broad appeal rapidly extended beyond China’s borders, becoming a lucrative export commodity highly sought after in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Using cobalt imported from Western Asia, ceramic artists ground the mineral into a vibrant blue pigment that was then painted directly on a porcelain base, coated with clear glaze, and fired. This underglaze technique brought with it a shift in focus from the overall shape of a vessel to the skill and artistry traceable in its painted decoration.

Transcending time and taste, blue-and-white porcelain continues to be appreciated around the world for the intricate brushwork and brilliant blue color.

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Mick de Giulio | de Giulio kitchen design

“I love working with PAGODA RED. When I’m looking for something distinctive for one of my clients, I can be sure I’ll find it there. Betsy has an incredible eye for the beautiful and unique and she continues to offer one of the best collections of Chinese furniture and decorative art.”

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