Pilgrims' Bottle

Chinese export porcelain, Kangshi period (1677-1722). Long necked bottle decorated in cobalt blue underglaze. On the rounded body 3 cartouches; one that has been left blank, one other with the five wounds of Christ and the third with the badge of the Franciscan Order and the label INRI (Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm). On the neck leaf and fleur de Lys decoration, the later silver neck and lid following similar pattern.
This very rare bottle, dating from the late 17th / early 18th century, was most certainly commisioned by a Franciscan Convent, probably for use in the Far East.
Similar pieces can be seen in the Abel de Lacerda collection and at the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon.