Two Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated teapots and covers Yongzheng 1723-35

Two Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated teapots and covers Yongzheng 1723-35, one with original decoration of an anhua band of flowers, both with narrow cash diaper borders in underglaze blue, later-enamelled with birds perched on and in flight above flowering stems and banded hedges in the Kakiemon palette, and a jug with later-decoration of birds on bamboo and other flower sprays including rosebud, around original underglaze blue roundels, 16.5cm max. (5)

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, nos. 614, 713 and 716.

Illustrated: Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, p.92, pl.25.

The rosebud decoration on the jug is usually a companion to the parrot decoration seen in lots 350 and 352. On item 713, a small butterfly beneath the spout has been turned into a large insect, suggesting the hand of more than one decorator.