Sauce boat (one of a pair)
China
1765-1780
Measurements
2-1/2 in x 7-1/2 in x 4 in
Materials
Gilded and enameled decoration on porcelain
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, anonymous loan
Accession Number
2011.108
Condition Notes
Sauce boat 2011.108.2 has a crack in the body near the handle. A chip has been glued back in place at that site, and the glue and overpaint have now darkened.
Provenance
Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp
Comments
This pair of sauce boats is part of a large set of export porcelain tablewares featuring octagonal plates, platters, and deep dishes. The sauce boats have scalloped rims that continue into the body as broad and shallow ribs. The handle is a simple C shape.
All objects in the set share the same detailed and well-executed decoration. They display vibrant use of “famille rose” enamels, namely a range of pinks that were developed for use on Chinese porcelains in the early 18th century. Other colors include greens, blue, reds, and gilding to create floral motifs and decorative bands. The designs on the plates depict a large pink carnation with smaller floral sprays, and a colorful butterfly-like motif. These sauce boats are decorated with the complex and lush borders used on the plates. They have a deep band around the outside with a scalloped bottom edge and alternating use of rose and burnt orange sections, each of which incorporates a rectangular panel depicting a bird and a flower. The borders have gilded highlights. White enamels set off certain parts of the decoration. The inner border is a smaller and simpler version.
Individual members of this tableware set are represented by the following accession nos.:
2011.103, set of three small octagonal plates
2011.104, set of five octagonal plates (part of the same set as four additional plates, accession no. 1968.826)
2011.105, pair of small octagonal deep dishes
2011.106, set of four large octagonal deep dishes
2011.107, set of six octagonal deep dishes
2011.108, pair of sauce boats
2011.109, pair of small octagonal platters
2011.110, small octagonal platter
2011.111, octagonal platter
2011.112, deep platter
Additional plates and platters were made by Spode in Stoke-on-Trent, England, between 1833 and 1847 to expand this Chinese set. They are accession nos. 2011.102, 2011.113, and 2011.115.
