The spherical body of each small bottle, surmounted by a cylindrical neck, is a characteristic Chinese ceramic shape.
They are covered in greyish cobalt-blue glaze, with some traces of gilt floral decoration still in evidence.
The footrim and mouth of the bottles are applied with pierced silver-gilt mounts, 10cm.
The 1690 Devonshire Schedule, an inventory which itemises an enormous bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire (1619-1689), to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter (1649-1703), records: ‘A pair of purple Bottles with gold fflowers Top and Bottome garnished.’
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