Chinese export porcelainBlue , red and gilt Imari decoration of 'bérainesque' style motifsNautilus shaped ewer of fluted sides, resting on segmented foot and concave baseBroad handle in the baroque taste, moulded in curve and counter curve, ending in volutes on joining the bodyLarge scalloped shell shaped basinYongzheng reign (1723-1735)(minor restoration to ewer)Note:Both shapes inspired by European silver and pewter examples often adopted by 17th century Portuguese silversmithsSimilar Chinese porcelain examples of Imari decoration are recorded in important collections such as the Mottahedeh, the Dusseldorf Museum and the Renato AlbuquerqueProvenance: Angelo Caldas collectionLiterature: 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.