Underglaze is a method of decorating pottery in which painted decoration is applied to the surface before it is covered with a transparent ceramic glaze and fired in a kiln. Because the glaze subsequently covers it, such decoration is completely durable, and it also allows the production of pottery with a surface that has a uniform sheen. Underglaze decoration uses pigments derived from oxides which fuse with the glaze when the piece is fired in a kiln. It is also a cheaper method, as only a single firing is needed, whereas overglaze decoration requires a second firing at a lower temperature. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples, information and price guides to antique ceramics with underglaze decoration depicting butterflies including a pair of underglaze blue vases.
Underglaze Blue Lidded Tea Cup, Qianlong Mark
Decorated overall with butterflies and floral sprigs, six-character underglaze blue marks to the cup and lid. Diameter: 4 1/2 inches Condition: the lid with four chips and the cup with a chip and star crack
Sold for $550 at Fine Estate, Inc. in 2020
Plate ca. 1785 Chinese, for American market This Chinese porcelain plate is one of a large group of porcelains owned by George Washington (1732–1799) and Henry Lee (1756–1818). Its underglaze-blue Fitzhugh border—an elaborate pattern of the late eighteenth century incorporating flowers, pomegranates, often butterflies, and other Chinese motifs. The plate is also decorated with the emblem of the Society of the Cincinnati (with a blue and white striped ribbon) held aloft by a somewhat whimsical Angel of Fame.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cup and saucer, bone china, Worcester Porcelain Factory, England, c. 1770
A round porcelain teacup with a loop handle and a gilt rim. The blue underglaze body features two reserves depicting pheasants with pink, yellow and red feathers amongst green foliage. Eight small reserves of butterflies and insects surround the body, and gilt rococo scrolls outline each reserve. The white porcelain well features a hand-painted branch and cricket.
A round white porcelain saucer with a blue underglaze ground and a central reserve of a hand-painted butterfly. The rim features three large and nine small rococo reserves depicting pheasants, insects and butterflies. Gilt rococo scrollwork surrounds each reserve.
This cup and saucer were made in around 1770 by the Worcester porcelain factory in England. The pieces are typical of the factory’s popular range of wares that featured exotic landscapes, images of birds or oriental patterns against a dark blue ground. Dramatic and opulent, they were designed to complement the sumptuous interior decoration of the French Rococo style.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
Cup and Saucer Chinese export 1785–1810 East Asia, China for export
(For the Dutch market) Molded scalloped hexagonal form with underglaze blue decoration of Chinese landscapes, flower sprays and butterflies; brown luster edge and gold outlining of panels of cup.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
A PAIR OF UNDERGLAZE-BLUE-DECORATED BLUE-GLAZED ‘FLORAL’ BOTTLE VASES QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD each with the compressed globular body rising from a slightly splayed foot, sweeping to a columnar neck encircled by a raised filet and gently flaring at the rim, the body freely painted with sprays of flowers and butterflies in underglaze blue, all under a translucent blue glaze, the interior and base glazed white (2) Height 5 1/2 in, 14 cm
Sold for 12,500 USD at Sotheby’s in 2019
Blue and white dish, with designs in eight segments around rim. In centre, a deer, butterflies and plants are depicted. The exterior is decorated with four motives of rococo scrollwork in yellow enamel which have been added in Europe.
Porcelain was first made in Japan in the early years of the 17th century at kilns in and around the town of Arita in the northern part of the western island of Kyushu. The earliest pieces were designed for the domestic market. Production increased from 1650 onwards, with a large part of the industry being directed towards the making of ceramics for export to Europe. The use of a central scene surrounded by a panelled design is common among blue-and-white porcelain imported into Europe from both China and Japan. The centre of this particular dish is painted with a deer surrounded by flowering plants and a butterfly.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
