A Chinese Export teabowl decorated with a scene of the Dutch Colony beside Table Mountain and Lions Head at the Cape of Good Hope, 8 cm diameter; together with a famille rose coffee cup depicting four Manchu/Chinese figures, including two musicians, 6 cm high, both 18th century (2)
The design of Dutch sailing vessels on this teabowl presumably refers to the VOC [Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie] presence on the Cape of Southern Africa. Table Mountain was named by Antonio de Saldanha in 1503; he is thought to have been the first European to have climbed and named the mountain although perhaps, of course, the Phoenicians had done so previously.For a similar landscape, but with two sailing vessels, compare the 23 cm dish with Cohen & Cohen (No. 6532); decorated en-grisaille, the Dutch ensigns are also depicted with blue and red enamel.