Egg Cup (Coquetier)

Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory

1735–1745

Soft-paste porcelain with glaze and enamel, Soft-paste porcelain, Enamel

J. Paul Getty Museum

A white porcelain egg cup is supported by a turquoise and blue dragon figure with an open mouth and red eyes. The cup is decorated with a red and blue dragon motif and a small blue butterfly. A white porcelain egg cup is supported by a turquoise and blue dragon figure with an open mouth and red eyes. The cup is decorated with a red and blue dragon motif and a small blue butterfly. The stem of this small cup is molded in the form of a stylized gap-mouthed dolphin, the head resting on a crest of waves and the raised tail fin supporting the bowl of the cup. The latter has the shape of an inverted bell and is decorated with a dragon chasing butterflies. All are colored in blue, green, yellow, red, and black enamel. The form and ornament are based on East Asian prototypes – the dolphin shape copying examples in Chinese export