A PAIR OF CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE MOULDED VASES

KANGXI 1662-1722

The ovoid bodies moulded with tall petal-shaped panels painted with branches of prunus, peony and other blossoming flowers growing amidst rockwork, the slender necks flanked by handles formed as animal masks suspending loose rings, with artemisia leaves to the bases, 24.6cm. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Lady Kate Davson, née Kate Foster (1938-2020). Kate Davson was a prominent dealer in European ceramics. The daughter of Ludovic Foster and Pamela Wilberforce, Kate was brought up near Pulborough in Sussex and educated at Downe House School near Newbury. Kate joined Sotheby's Works of Art Department in 1959. She travelled widely for Sotheby's and set up their Munich office. In 1973, she established the firm of Kate Foster Ltd, with premises in Ryder Street, St. James's. She also founded the French Porcelain Society in 1984. Kate married Christopher Davson (1927-2004) in 1975 and later became Lady Davson in 1998, although she still liked to be known as Kate. She was proud to be the great-great-great grand-daughter of William Wilberforce and was prominent in the bicentenary celebration of Britain's abolition of the Slave Trade in 2007.