A Very Large and Unusual Pair of 18th Century Chinese Imari Pattern Wine Coolers

Description

A Very Large and Unusual Pair of 18th Century Chinese Imari Pattern Wine Coolers. Each of rounded cylindrical form with a slightly everted scalloped rim and a short, waisted foot. The bodies are fitted with applied gilt porcelain handles modeled in the form of double-shell, projecting horizontally from either side. The rims are bordered with a continuous geometric band in iron-red and gilt. The upper registers are decorated with a wide band of alternating red and blue panels, the red grounds filled with a dense network of gilt floral sprays, the blue sections containing stylized chrysanthemums and scrolling foliage picked out in white, iron-red, and gilt. Below, the main body panels feature large, symmetrical sprays of peony blooms with curling stems and broad leaves painted in a palette of cobalt blue, iron-red, and emerald green enamels. Smaller buds and floral details are interspersed among the principal flowers. The foot rims are encircled with a narrow iron-red scrolling border. The decoration follows the traditional Chinese Imari style, which combines underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze iron-red enamels and gilding, producing a strong contrast between the deep blue foliate forms and the red-and-gold floral areas. The execution of the Imari pattern on these coolers displays precise brushwork in the delineation of petals and leaves, as well as even application of gilding to highlight the blossoms, scrolls, and geometric borders. The handles, modeled separately and applied to the vessel, are covered in an iron-red glaze enriched with gilt, complementing the warm tones in the painted decoration. Wine coolers of this form were intended to be filled with ice or cold water to chill bottles placed inside. The large size of this pair would have allowed them to hold multiple bottles, making them functional for service at banquets or gatherings. The robust porcelain walls and broad rims provided durability and ease of handling, while the double-shell form handles offered a secure grip when lifting or moving the vessels. The combination of decorative complexity and practical construction demonstrates the high level of skill in porcelain production for export during this period, with the Imari palette appealing to European tastes of the 18th century. China, Circa: 1725

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