A RARE CHINESE EXPORT 'FAMILLE-ROSE' BOAR'S HEAD TUREEN AND ...

Hammer

€4,600

A RARE CHINESE EXPORT 'FAMILLE-ROSE' BOAR'S HEAD TUREEN AND COVER, China, 18th century Modelled as the head of a wild boar looking upwards with its mouth open, revealing its teeth and tongue. The figure features pointed ears and large eyes, with the cover forming the upper part of the head. It is naturalistically enamelled with brown fur, an iron-red snout, white and gilded teeth, and a pink tongue. 27.8cm long Note Boar-head tureens made in China were custom-ordered by affluent European families to captivate guests during banquets, showcasing both artistic beauty and the host's wealth and social standing. The tureen's nostrils allowed steam to escape from the hot food inside, enhancing the lifelike appearance. This practice is linked to the medieval European tradition of serving meat in animal heads during certain feasts and celebrations. William Sargent suggests that these ceramic boar-head tureens originated from this tradition, noting that animal head tureens were likely first produced in Strasbourg, Alsace Lorraine, by Paul Hannong between 1748 and 1754.