Underglaze porcelain butterflies. 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
A pair of massive celadon glazed vases with underglaze blue landscape reserves 20th Century Each molded in relief with butterflies, birds and decorative bands across the trumpet neck and pear-form body beneath a pale olive green glaze that surrounds fan-shaped reserves of landscapes in underglaze blue under a colorless glaze that repeats on the interior walls, the unglazed fabric visible on the foot pad and recessed base; with European style gilt wood tripod stands. 49 1/2in (125.5cm) 66in (167.5cm) height with stands
Sold for US$ 5,000 (£ 3,819) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
Japanese Dish (foliate-shaped). Lion-dog (shishi), plants and butterflies. Made of blue underglaze porcelain. Date Late 19th Century
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
Chinese Qing Dynasty Celadon Porcelain Vase with a design of a Phoenix, Peonies, and Butterflies in underglaze Blue on a White slip; blue glazed Lion-head and ring handles to neck. Star hairline and 1 firing crack to base, 2 small, short glaze hairlines to side. Height 17 1/2 inches (44.7 cm.).
Sold for $1,400 at Eddie’s Auction in 2019
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
A BLUE AND WHITE AND UNDERGLAZED-RED ‘CRANE AND LOTUS’ FISH JAR QING DYNASTY, 18TH – 19TH CENTURY with a tapered body rising from a flat base to an everted rim, beautifully painted in cobalt blue and copper red with a continuous scene depicting cranes in a lotus pond set with large blossoms and lotus pads, all below a frieze enclosing lotus blooms alternating with butterflies against a diapered ground, the rim further encircled by raised fillet and a key-fret border 41.7 x 45.8 cm, 16 3/8 by 18 in.
Sold for 112,500 HKD at Sothebys in 2016
Porcelain dish with broad rim painted in underglaze blue, overglaze enamels and gilding in imitation of Imari ware with a central medallion containing a vase of flowers on a terrace, surrounded by three panels with peonies, birds and flowers in the famille verte colour scheme alternating with three of chrysanthemums and prunus blossoms in red and gold on a blue ground. Four flower sprays are on the outside.
This large dish was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China in about 1720-1730. The decoration in underglaze blue, overglaze enamels and gold imitates the characteristic colour scheme and design of Japanese export porcelain in Imari style. This ware, produced in the kilns of Arita in Hizen province, was named after the port in western Japan from where it was exported to Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Japanese wares in Imary style were imitated at the kilns of Jingdezhen from the late 17th century. During the Kangxi period (1662-1722) Chinese Imari became a popular export ware for Europe, where several factories, in turn, imitated the style during the 18th century.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
