Rare Chinese Porcelain Candle Holder. Blue, White, Mirror Black
An unusual and rare Chinese export blue and white porcelain candle holder. In simple, traditional Western form probably for the export market but bearing traditional Chinese motif of figures in garden landscape with precious objects and burning incense. The crackle surface with cobalt blue decoration under the glaze. The center with figures with antique treasures in garden. The bobeche with bamboo and blossoms. The foot with flowering branches. The center portion is bordered above and below with manganese "mirror black" glazed relief double rings (the lower border on the biscuit) suggesting the appearance of tarnished silver or metal ferrules. The unglazed, angular foot rim carefully shaped before firing and the glaze well controlled with slight crawl. Most interesting, the "mirror black" glazed rings fade to a soft grey-blue rather than to an iron tone. This indicates manganese mixed with cobalt as was done with 18th century Kangxi works (the 19th century mixing manganese with iron to achieve a similar effect.) We are not saying this recent acquisition is necessarily that old. It may be that it was expedient to use the cobalt already available for the under glaze decoration and it does not appear as controlled as might be expected. Then again, it is an export form. A beautiful piece in pristine condition. A slight list is not very noticeable when not framed within a picture. We will not charge extra for melted wax accumulated in the hollow core. We are broadly estimating age as 19th century. A pleasing hoist at 1 lb and 8.4 oz (692 grams). Height, about 8 inches (20.32 cm)
