A small Chinese porcelain scent bottle, 17th Century.

The bottle, of the Kangxi period (1662-1722), is embellished with European silver-gilt corded mounts, 5.5cm high.

It came to Burghley as part of a massive bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire (1619-1689), to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter (1649-1703).

The bequest is recorded in an inventory known as the 1690 Devonshire Schedule, or Deed of Gift, which lists, under ‘lesser china’: ‘a pair of very small blue and white bottles garnisht Top, bottems and middle with wyor.’

The other bottle is now missing.

REFERENCE: EWA08552

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