Details

LOT 0368

Islamic Blue and White Pilgrim Flask

LATE QING DYNASTY, 1644-1911 AD

7 3/4" (618 grams, 19.8cm).

A blue and white glazed porcelain Chinese-made pilgrim flask for the Islamic market; comprising a crescent-shaped body with cobalt-blue scrolled tendrils and lotus flowers, conical knop finials; tubular neck with painted lattice ornament and bulb below the mouth; four D-shaped flange feet, drill hole to base; old label to base 'RALPH M CHAIT . GALLERIES . NY / Ming Dynasty 1368-1643 A.D.'

Provenance

From the collection of a Kensington gentleman; ex Mansour Gallery, Davies Street, London; formerly with Ralph M. Chait Galleries Inc, New York, USA; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10745-177417.

Footnotes

The pilgrim flask perpetuates the tradition of blue and white porcelain flasks begun in the early 15th century for the Islamic export market, perhaps intended as diplomatic gifts.
Islamic glass and metalwork forms influenced Chinese design. In this case, the model appears to have been a leather flask whereby the raised borders recall the stitched seams, and the crescent shape references the crescent moon.

CONDITION