Description
Rare Chinese export "Pronk" porcelain oval basin in the "Potentate" design, ca. 1740, early Qianlong period. Richly enameled in famille rose with garlands of spring flowers suspended from scrollwork on purple, rose, turquoise, and black trellis grounds. The interior decorated with four strapwork edged panels of figures: two women taking tea and two men smoking long pipes. These figures on a pale pink enamel ground beneath a shell border with further garlands tied in blue bows.
Provenance: Christie's, New York, "Fine English Furniture, Objects of Art and Chinese Export Porcelain," 20 January 1995, Lot 181; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff.
References:
Howard, "Choice of the Private Trader," pg. 240, 241, no. 285.
Christie's, "The Doris Duke Collection," 3-4 June 2004, Lot 478.
The British Museum, Accession no. 2003,1129.1.
Lot Essay:
Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759) was appointed by the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) to "...make all designs and models to our satisfaction, of all such porcelain as will be ordered from time to time in the Indies..." Before the decade was done, Pronk had left the company and the number of designs known to be created by him was small. There are only four preserved designs in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Most were created in famille rose, Chinese Imari and underglaze blue, though some were also created in Japanese Imari. The overall cost of creating his designs was high and not many were ordered, most before the early 1740s.
Standing as one of the most elusive designs attributed to Cornelis Pronk, 'The Potentate' shares a clear stylistic lineage with his renowned 'La Dame au Parasol' and 'The Doctors'- both represented in this collection. Though absent from his documented V.O.C. commissions, its execution is unmistakably related. Today, the pattern survives in only two specific forms: this striking oval basin and a large urn with cover, a notable example of which was once part of the Hodroff Collection.
Height: 13 in x width: 18 1/2 in x depth: 13 in.
Provenance: Christie's, New York, "Fine English Furniture, Objects of Art and Chinese Export Porcelain," 20 January 1995, Lot 181; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff.
References:
Howard, "Choice of the Private Trader," pg. 240, 241, no. 285.
Christie's, "The Doris Duke Collection," 3-4 June 2004, Lot 478.
The British Museum, Accession no. 2003,1129.1.
Lot Essay:
Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759) was appointed by the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) to "...make all designs and models to our satisfaction, of all such porcelain as will be ordered from time to time in the Indies..." Before the decade was done, Pronk had left the company and the number of designs known to be created by him was small. There are only four preserved designs in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Most were created in famille rose, Chinese Imari and underglaze blue, though some were also created in Japanese Imari. The overall cost of creating his designs was high and not many were ordered, most before the early 1740s.
Standing as one of the most elusive designs attributed to Cornelis Pronk, 'The Potentate' shares a clear stylistic lineage with his renowned 'La Dame au Parasol' and 'The Doctors'- both represented in this collection. Though absent from his documented V.O.C. commissions, its execution is unmistakably related. Today, the pattern survives in only two specific forms: this striking oval basin and a large urn with cover, a notable example of which was once part of the Hodroff Collection.
Height: 13 in x width: 18 1/2 in x depth: 13 in.
Condition
There is a repaired vertical crack, measuring approximately three-inches in length, and signs of restoration along the flared rim that fluoresce under UV light. There are light fleabite chips along one edge of the rim. Crazing to the glaze, particularly along the scalloped forms along the recessed shoulder and the pink cross-hatched ground. The basin is set within and affixed to a gilt metal stand with plaster. Some wear to the stand including small areas of verdigris patination along the underside, four deep areas of toning along the circumference of the foot, and some small scuffs and scratches.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Rare Pronk Potentate Oval Basin
Estimate $20,000-$40,000
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$10,000
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This auction is curated by:
Sean BlanchetAsian Art Specialist
Robert SnellPaintings and Sculpture Specialist
Leo & Doris Hodroff Chinese Export Collection
Nov 12, 2026, 11:00 AM ESTSt. Paul, MN, United States
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