An important ewer and basin Chinese export porcelain Blue , red and gilt Imari decoration of 'bérainesque' style motifs Nautilus shaped ewer of fluted sides, resting on segmented foot and concave base Broad handle in the baroque taste, moulded in curve and counter curve, ending in volutes on joining the body Large scalloped shell shaped basin Yongzheng reign (1723-1735) (minor restoration to ewer) Height: 30 cm Note: Both shapes inspired by European silver and pewter examples often adopted by 17th century Portuguese silversmiths Similar Chinese porcelain examples of Imari decoration are recorded in important collections such as the Mottahedeh, the Dusseldorf Museum and the Renato Albuquerque Provenance: Angelo Caldas collection Literature: David Howard, John Ayers, "China for the West", vol. I, p. 144, ill. 125; David Howard, John Ayers, "Masterpieces of Chinese Export Porcelain from the Mottahedeh Collection in the Virginia Museum", p. 40, ill. 125. Maria Antónia Pinto de Matos, "Cerâmica da China, Colecção RA", pp. 140 e 141.