Chinese Export Porcelain On Display at Tefaf
My colleague Tom Johansmeyer recently mentioned the Tefaf show going on at Maastricht in the Netherlands from March 12-21. Among the many booths and displays at one of the world's top arts and antiques fairs you'll find the Cohen & Cohen Chinese Export Porcelain Gallery (Tefaf Maastricht Booth 246).
The Cohens are showing some very important examples of 17th to 19th century Chinese porcelain largely created for export on commission from Western clients. For close to thirty years the Cohens have provided major museums and collectors with access to the finest pieces entering the market, and have played a role assembling several world class collections. They often showcase things not seen on the market and recently exhibited at The Winter Antiques Show in New York.
Their gallery will feature important examples of 17th to 19th century Chinese Export Porcelain, including a striking pair of three foot tall Famille Rose Baluster vases and covers that depict scenes from the Romance of the Western Chamber, circa 1730, and a Rare Qianlong Famille Rose Wall Sconce, after a design by Cornelis Pronk. Recent catalogs also highlighted a c1740 Qianlong Famille Rose cistern and cover with intact basin with brightly enameled figures beneath a flowering tree; a large wall bracket made for the Dutch market, with double brass sconces, also Qianlong c1740; a large Pair of Qianlong mid-18th century Nodding-Head Figures; several important Punch Bowls made for the American and English markets; a pair of Maidens as Candleholders dating to c1740, 17 inches in height, and an important figure group of Dutch Dancers, c1750 Qianlong.
Michael Cohen says, "There are some very discerning collectors and museums who share our passion for Chinese Export porcelain. We focus our attention on the early porcelain created in China for enjoyment overseas; It has remained the gold standard and has captivated collectors for centuries, without regard to changes in popular style or collecting fads. No other porcelain offers the immediacy of appeal, vibrancy of color, quality of painting and originality of design. Chinese porcelain has more soul than European ...and the Chinese did it first."
