We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Monteith

circa 1710-1720

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Other Title
    Monteith bowl
    Place where the work was made
    China
    Period
    Kangxi 1662 - 1722 → Qing dynasty 1644 - 1911 → China
    Date
    circa 1710-1720
    Media category
    Ceramic
    Materials used
    porcelain with underglaze blue decoration
    Dimensions
    15.6 x 32.9 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Gift of Mrs Margaret Strutt-Davies 1984
    Location
    South Building, ground level, Grand Courts
    Accession number
    251.1984
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This unusually shaped bowl illustrates the use of Western shapes, often in silver or pewter, as models for new Chinese ceramic forms. The monteith, named after a Scot, whose cloak's hem was notched in the same way as the rim of this bowl, was designed to chill wine glasses which could be suspended in water. Wooden models were often used to show unfamiliar European shapes to Chinese potters on the other side of the world. The monteith first appeared in silver, but then appeared in Dutch delftware as well as Chinese porcelain.

    The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.139.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    China

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 3 publications

    • Amber Daines, Look, 'Trade Ceramics', pg. 20-21, Sydney, Jun 2004, 20, 21 (colour illus.).

    • Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'Export Ceramics', Sydney, 2003, 139 (colour illus.).

    • Jackie Menzies, TAASA Review, "In the Public Domain: Trade Ceramics in the AGNSW", Sydney, Jun 2013, 24 (colour illus.).