Latest publication of a catalogue raisonné of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

Congratulations to the latest publication of a catalogue raisonné of the Sir Michael Butler Collection – Leaping the Dragon Gate: The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain. Both authors Teresa Canepa and Katharine Butler, Sir Michael’s daughter, have put a huge amount of effort over the years and finally accomplished a wonderful job that has contributed remarkably to the research field of 17^th century Chinese porcelain.

The core of the book is composed of five sections presenting the main categories of porcelains in the collection: Late Ming, High Transitional, Shunzhi, Kangxi, Monochromes and Enamels, and, in conclusion is an essay on the puzzle pieces and the debates that arose around them.

This 576-page book with over 850 colour illustrations covers almost his entire 17th-century porcelain collection, including many previously unpublished pieces. I feel privileged to have taken part in deciphering the story scenes on many of the rare porcelain pieces in the collection. Here are some examples:

The dream by the Qiantang River

porcelain dish with underglaze blue decoration, Shunzhi period (1644-61), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

Lv Bu’s Archery Stunt at the Camp Gate

porcelain jar with underglaze blue and overglaze enamelled decoration, Shunzhi period (1644-61), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

Lv Dongbin Sending Liang Hao a Bride to Repay him a Life Debt

porcelain jar with underglaze blue and overglaze enamelled decoration, Shunzhi period (1644-61), courtesy of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

Bo Yi and Shu Qi Trying to Stop the Mighty Zhou Army

porcelain vase with overglaze enamelled decoration, Shunzhi period (1644-61), courtesy of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

A Startled Romantic Dream in the Back Garden

porcelain bowl with underglaze blue decoration, Shunzhi period (1644-61), courtesy of the Sir Michael Butler Collection

There is a long list of names of colleagues and scholars in Katharine’s acknowledgement. Congratulations to everyone for the job well done!

Ad Ilissvm | Paul Holberton Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-912168-16-3

Hardback, 300 x 245 mm

576 pages, over 850 colour illus.

Text in English and Chinese

image from Leaping the Dragon Gate: The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, Teresa Canepa & Katharine Butler (2021), Ad Ilissvm

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from Leaping the Dragon Gate: The Sir Michael Butler Collection of Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain, Teresa Canepa & Katharine Butler (2021), Ad Ilissvm

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