Opulent Botanicals: Chinese Export "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" Oval Dish

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Description

Opulent Botanicals: Chinese Export "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" Oval Dish,
Circa 1765

This magnificent Chinese Export porcelain oval dish, dating from … Read more Opulent Botanicals: Chinese Export "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" Oval Dish,
Circa 1765

This magnificent Chinese Export porcelain oval dish, dating from circa 1765, represents a bold and highly decorative variation of the prized Tobacco Leaf pattern, specifically identified as the "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" type. Its impressive size and intricate painting showcase the height of porcelain commissioned for the European market during the Qianlong period.

Design and Decoration
The dish is characterized by an explosion of dense, free-flowing botanicals, rendered in a rich Famille Rose and iron-red palette. The decoration is lavishly applied across the white porcelain ground:

Vivid Colors: Large, dramatically contoured leaves are painted in brilliant, contrasting shades of bright green and deep brown, complemented by exotic orange flower heads. This specific coloring leads to the pattern sometimes being referred to as "Red Tobacco Leaf."

Unique Detail: A striking element is the presence of a round of cut fruit (such as a melon or gourd) decorated in vibrant green and orange, adding a touch of trompe l'oeil and graphic complexity to the floral display.

Composition: Unlike the later, more rigid Tobacco Leaf patterns, this "Pseudo" variation exhibits a more spontaneous and voluminous arrangement of elements, reflecting an earlier stage in the design's evolution.

Historical Context and Provenance
Produced during the Qianlong period (1736–1795), porcelain of this size and complexity was destined for the grand dining tables of wealthy European and American households. The Tobacco Leaf family of patterns was one of the most popular and expensive commissions, serving as an emblem of colonial wealth and fashionable taste for the exotic.

Provenance: The dish has a distinguished history, hailing from a Private Collection and bearing the label of Fred B. Nadler Antiques, a specialist in Chinese Export porcelain, as well as a label from the National Art & Antiques Dealers of America. This documentation confirms its provenance and quality within the fine antiques trade.

Condition Note: There are remains of a red felt pad on the base, indicating a history of being carefully displayed on furniture.

Dimensions: 13 1/8 inches wide ×11 1/4 inches deep ×1 1/4 inches high (33.34cm wide ×28.58cm deep).

Reference Notes
• Pattern Identification: The classification of this specific pattern as "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" or "Red Tobacco Leaf" is supported by the scholarship of: Debomy, Pierre L., Tobacco Leaf and Pseudo: A Tentative Inventory, with this particular variation illustrated on Page 206–209.
• Dating: The rich polychrome painting and style of the Famille Rose enamels confirm its dating to the peak of Chinese Export porcelain production in the mid-18th century.

(Ref: NY10717-nnrr) See less