A PAIR OF CHINESE POWDER BLUE-GROUND EWERS AND COVERS

KANGXI 1662-1722

With pear-shaped bodies, each set with a loop handle and a slender spout joined to the neck with a moulded S-shaped scroll, the flat covers surmounted by simple ovoid finials, decorated with mottled dark blue glazes enhanced with traces of floral decoration in gilt, the interiors and bases glazed white, 20.5cm. (4)

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.