Chinese export British East Indian company Armorial porcelain tureen, ca. 1790-1810. Oval with a domed lid, fruit finial, and double-strap reeded handles. Decorated with point and pendulum banded rims and the armorial crest of the English Honorable East India Company (HEIC). In polychrome enamels of peach-brown, black, and gilt.

Provenance: An English collection; The Oriental Impression, Ltd., October 1, 1987; From the Estate of C. Curtis "Curt" Dunnavan, Long Lake, Minnesota.

C. Curtis "Curt" Dunnavan (1926-2022) was a passionate world traveler and avid collector. It was through his travels that he was inspired to begin a lifelong relationship with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), becoming a major sponsor of the institute and facilitating the growth of their Asian art department, which is now one of the best in the country. His generous donations to Mia allowed them to establish a fund for the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, one of the few endowed positions of this type in the museum field. He additionally served as a trustee of the institute, advocating for its operational growth. In its turn, the museum established a gallery named in his honor in recognition for his endowment fund and numerous contributions to their collection. The selections here showcase his talent and breadth of collecting, ranging from ancient statues to 19th-century woodblock prints. His appreciation for art persisted throughout his life and we are honored to offer items from his collection in this auction.
Height: 7 in x width: 12 1/2 in x depth: 9 in. No visible cracks, chips, or losses. Light wear throughout as expected from age and use. There are losses to the coloration and the gilding. There is a minute crack along the top rim of the tureen. There is dust accumulated throughout the recessed areas. There are minute firing flaws throughout. Along the underside of the lid there is a small spot of adhesive residue. There is wear to the bottom, consistent with age and use. No visible signs of restoration under UV light.