Two sharks. China, 19th century. In enamelled porcelain. They are in good condition, except for some

Two sharks. China, 19th century.
In enamelled porcelain.
They are in good condition, except for some wear.
Measurements: 50 x 25 cm; 46 x 25 cm.
Pair of tibores enamelled in cobalt blue on white. Cylindrical body, profusely decorated all over its surface and on the lid. Fu's dogs act as handles on the lid, and like masks they decorate the projections of the cylinder. The cylinder is decorated with landscapes, a thousand-year-old tree and characters in genre scenes.
Porcelain known for its colouring, known as 'cobalt blue' or 'blue on white', was highly prized in Europe from the time it was first imported. In fact, it was so much appreciated by other cultures such as Islam that it was very often works destined for this market that ended up influencing European ceramic production, which aspired to resemble as closely as possible this export production created in large quantities in China. It was not until around the middle of the 17th century that production began in this oriental country, blue and white porcelain being among the first to arrive directly in Europe in large quantities.