Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Holy Water Wall Bowl Or Stoup, Qianlong

A rare Chinese export porcelain famille rose holy water wall bowl or stoup.
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1735-1796).

The porcelain covered stoup of wall hanging type painted with polychrome decoration in famille rose (Fencai) enamels of flowers and foliage, the basin and lid with gadroons in relief underlined by famille rose and gilt scrolls. The back plate unglazed and pierced for suspension.

Height 19.5 cm.

Note:
These holy water wall bowls or stoups were ordered by the Catholic liturgy for home use. They are intended to hold small quantities of holy water for people to dip their fingers in before making the sign of the cross. The stoups were often placed at the entrances to churches or holy sites.

Manufactured only in the first half of the 18th century. Its form is known in delftware, faïence and metalwork but is rare in Chinese export porcelain. Dias, 1996, suggests that the presence of a cover means it was probably for private use rather than in a church where continual daily use negated its need. ?

A pair of the same type and decoration as this can be found in the Museu da Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva, Lisbon.

Provenance:
Santos London, illustrated in: 100 Years of Chinese Export Porcelain, by A. Varela Santos, 2014/2015, cat. 74

Ref:
Antunes, 2000, p. 55, no. 39, a pair similar to this example, in the collection of Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva.

Another similar example published in: Cohen & Cohen, Tyger Tyger!, Antwerp, 2016, pp. 64-65, no. 28 and sold at Bonhams New York, 24 January 2023, Cohen & Cohen 50 Years of Chinese Export Porcelain sale, lot 154.