A Du Paquier coffee pot and cover, circa 1725-30

of pear form with baroque moulded spout and scroll handle, painted in underglaze-blue in Chinese style with scattered insects among chrysanthemum and prunus below a diaper lappet border, the domed cover with annular knop

Sotheby's Zurich, 26th June 1971, lot 75

A. Busson, Unterglasurblaue Dekors auf Du Paquier Porzellanen, in Keramos, 60, April 1973, pp. 3-16, Abb. 2

There is a shallow chip to rim of inner flange of cover, approx.2cm. by 0.3cm. at deepest point. Otherwise in overall good condition with some scuffing to the edges and some minor surface scratches to the body.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For a discussion on underglaze-blue decoration on Du Paquier porcelain see the article by A. Busson, op. cit., where this coffee pot is illustrated alongside another which was also sold at Sotheby's Zurich, 26th June 1971, lot 74.

The pattern on this coffee pot differs from that on the earliest types at Du Paquier, which were often decorated in red enamel, and is very close to the decoration of the pieces recently identified at the Sankt Florian Abbey in Upper Austria, dating from circa 1728; see M.Chilton et al., Fired by Passion, vol. 2 p. 772 and vol. 3 nos. 210 and 211. The form is also a rare variant, more elaborately scrolled than usual; for another of this form but still with a simpler spout, see Bonham's sale of 9th December 2009, lot 136.