BE57
Further images
Of oval form raised on four short stylized claw feet, the reticulated body in outlined underglaze blue with gilding, the fitted inset tray painted in underglaze blue and imari enamels with a vase filled with flowers in the centre, the interior walls intricately painted with three individual scenes; two birds in a tree, a crouching Fo lion and a butterfly on a flower all reserved on a white ground, all separated by three panels of underglaze blue decorated with flowers, the base glazed.
Literature
These salts are an example of 'reticulated' porcelain, which is characterised by intricate cuts creating a pierced pattern. Père Francois Xavier d`Entrecolles (1664-1741) used the term reticulated in the 18th century to describe porcelain that had the appearance of a net. An alternative term for this type of porcelain is 'Devils Work', or Guigong. The Chinese term 'Linglong' is also used. These porcelain salts would have been based on an English silver model with glass liners. For an example, see the Victoria and Albert Museum, museum number M.252-1920.
