Mancerina

Mancerina

1760-1770
Artist
unknown artist
Country
China
Object
mancerina
Medium
Porcelain
Accession Number
2017.143
Credit Line
Funds from Alianza de las Artes Americanas and Asian Art Acquisitions

Unknown artist, Mancerina, 1760-70. Porcelain; 9½ in. dia. Funds from Alianza de las Artes Americanas and Asian Art Acquisitions, 2017.143.

Dimensions
diameter: 9.44 in, 23.9776 cm
Department
Mayer Center, Latin American Art
Collection
Latin American Art
This object is currently on view

  This large Chinese famille rose mancerina decorated with flowers is specialized item found in chocolate services, the mancerina is a deep, wide saucer, often in the shape of a seashell, with a cup holder in the center to hold the jícara (chocolate cup) in place and prevent it from tipping over.  It was invented in Mexico in the mid-1600s and named after Don Antonio Sebastián Álvarez de Toledo Molina y Salazar, 2nd Marquis of Mancera, and Grandee of Spain (c. 1608–1715), a Spanish nobleman who was Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) from 1664 to 1673.

  Mancerinas became very fashionable across the Spanish empire during the colonial period and were manufactured in both silver and ceramic. In the 18th century, thanks to the trade with Asia via the Manila Galleon, porcelain mancerinas were also produced in China for the Mexican market. This example, a Qianlong period (1736-1795) famille rose mancerina decorated with flowers from circa 1760-70, is representative type of the Asian export wares for the Spanish market.

― Jorge Rivas Pérez, 2017

Known Provenance
Provenance research is on-going at the Denver Art Museum. Please e-mail provenance@denverartmuseum.org, if you have questions, or if you have additional information to share with us.