The Helen Espir Collection - 12th November 2014
Lot 334
A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated saucer 1st half 18th century
Estimate £300 - £500 | Hammer £350
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Description
A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated saucer 1st half 18th century, originally left in the white and later-decorated in Holland with the myth of Procris and Cephalus, showing Procris giving Cephalus a hunting dog and a bow and arrow, Cupid in flight above while further winged putti hold the dog, the rim inscribed in Dutch, 14cm.
Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no.910. Purchased from Robert McPherson, January 2007.
The decoration derives from an engraving by Antonio Tempesta, published in Amsterdam by Willem Jansz. The scene is a poignant one because the arrow 'that never misses' will eventually kill Procris when she surprises Cephalus out hunting.