MING DYNASTY CHENGHUA PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE CHILDREN CUPS
Ming Dynasty marked and period Chenghua Imperial blue and
white cups with four children. The body of the cups are
deep the walls that are thin and translucent. The foot ring was wiped over with the
glaze which is typical in many 15th century porcelain.
The cobalt blue has a beautiful
15th century Chenghua color with a blackish tone. Chenghua color is refined and very distinct
and this is one reason why Chenghua blue and white is so easy
to identify. Some are only concerned how the Chenghua mark is written
and do not emphasize enough about the color and tone of the imported
cobalt and the painting style. These are the most important things
to authenticate Chenghua Blue and White because this cannot be duplicated.
The sumali
/ smalt cobalt alone would run uncontrollably and had to
be mixed with Chinese domestic pitang / pingdeng cobalt
to stabilize it. Not until the Chenghua period
did the potters gain complete control over sumali / smalt imported
cobalt. The Chenghua potters were capable
of painting details as thin as a hair in a free style with
motion and flare. Some say the sumali / smalt imported cobalt was
not used after the 15th century. This is not correct there are some pieces
that used this cobalt in the early 16th century. Very few photographs capture
the different cobalt colors correctly in the book by He
Li Chinese Ceramics plate 409 and Sotheby book 30 years
in Hong Kong plate 245, the blue color and tone are
good examples of the color and tone when the two cobalt's
were mixed together. The color can be lighter or darker
but the rich tone will remain the same in the finest late
14th and 15th century blue and white. Even today they are
unsure which country in the middle east this cobalt was
imported from. The Chenghua painting style is outlined and
filled in with fine washes using a broad brush. The Chenghua glaze
is fine glossy and soft to the touch,. Some say the glaze has
a ting of yellow others whitish others brownish I prefer
whitish with very small even bubbles. The glaze tint often tones
down the imported cobalt to give a more refine look. The cups
have the six character Chenghua mark in a double square.
Chenghua ceramics were generally delicate and innovating
in style, form, and painted with the most beautiful blue
and white shades of color which all have the distinct blackish tone. The Chenghua blue and white evolved and matured
throughout his reign. Most blue and white collectors believe
the Chenghua blue and white wares are the finest ever
produced and this is why there so sought after today.
Measures 3 3/8 inches / 8.6 cm. Diameter.
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