A Chinese Milk Jug, decorated in the London studio of James Giles, circa 1755-65
This milk jug was made in China, probably in around 1750, and transported to London shortly afterwards. When it arrived in England, the only decoration it would have possessed is the so-called bianco-sopra-bianco (‘white on white’) raised floral design. This was achieved by applying white slip to the fired porcelain body, which was then glazed and re-fired. Fashionable European flowers, including a large pink rose and scattered sprigs, and a butterfly with outstretched wings were added in the Giles studio shortly after the jug’s arrival in London.
Provenance: The Jill McNeile Collection.
Condition: The tip of the beak has been repaired. The handle has two areas of fritting to the glaze, often found on Qianlong export porcelain of this type, along with typical potting flaws, such as pits to the interior glaze. No other damage or restoration.
Dimensions: Height 10 cm
The Early James Giles and his Contemporary London Decorators, Stephen Hanscombe (Stockspring Antiques Publications, 2008).
European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, 1700-1830, Helen Espir (Jorge Welsh Books, 2005).
The Watney Collection of Chinese Porcelain Decorated in Holland and England (Bonhams, 2003).