Item No. 888

A rare and very fine Lowestoft tankard, of slightly waisted cylindrical silver shape, the applied strap handle with pointed thumbrest and typical kicked lower terminal, printed and painted in underglaze blue with a full Chinese river scene showing figures on an Island walking with parasols and staffs before elegant tall pagodas their pitched roofs with curled edges, to one side the river extends into the far distance where two junks sail to a far Island, the interior with hatched diaper border, the handle with a single spray of mimosa.

The tankard is very finely potted with an elegant waisted form quite unlike other examples, which tend to be thicker. The interior painted border is a rare feature and the overall appearance of the printing and painting is wonderfully successful showing two tones of underglaze blue thus showing the handpainted work on the piece after the initial print. The translucency is of typical straw/pale green colour.

Provenance: Private English collection.

Height: 4 1/2 ins. (11.4 cms.)