Chinese Export Armorial Plate for Marquis De Almendares

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Description

Anglo-Chinese Classic: Blue Fitzhugh Platter and Mazarin:
Cobalt Elegance: The Perfect Symmetry of Chinese Export Fitzhugh Porcelain

This Chinese Export … Read more Anglo-Chinese Classic: Blue Fitzhugh Platter and Mazarin:
Cobalt Elegance: The Perfect Symmetry of Chinese Export Fitzhugh Porcelain

This Chinese Export porcelain, consisting of a deep oval Serving Platter and its pierced insert, the Mazarin, is a stunning example of the Blue Fitzhugh pattern from the Late 18th to the Early 19th Century. Executed entirely in rich underglaze cobalt blue, these pieces showcase the intricate artistry of the Qing Dynasty's export trade.

The Fitzhugh motif, named after the English family who championed the style, is celebrated for its dense symmetry, featuring a central medallion and four surrounding panels filled with finely detailed motifs—often including flowers, butterflies, and traditional Chinese symbols.

The mazarin (or strainer) is a functional marvel, designed to nestle within the platter’s well and drain excess liquids from roasted meats or fish, perfectly combining practical dining necessity with visual elegance. These objects represent the peak demand for blue-and-white wares crafted in Jingdezhen for sophisticated European and American markets.

Historical Context:

The Fitzhugh pattern is one of the most recognizable and enduring patterns of Chinese Export porcelain, introduced to Western markets in the latter half of the 18th century. Unlike earlier patterns that often featured specific European armorials or scenes, Fitzhugh was a distinctive Chinese interpretation of a European taste for highly organized, decorative density.

The style's popularity was rooted in its high quality, refined aesthetic, and relative affordability compared to earlier custom-armorial services. The demand for complete sets, including specialized pieces like the platter and mazarin (a sophisticated dining accessory), underscores the growing affluence and refined culinary traditions of Western households in the Georgian and Federal periods. These porcelain wares served as powerful symbols of global engagement, wealth, and worldly taste in dining rooms on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dimensions: 17 1/2 inches long x 14 3/4 inches deep x 2 1/2 inches high (44.45 cm x 37.47cm x 6.35 cm high).

References:

Le Corbeiller, Clare. China Trade Porcelain: Patterns of Exchange. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1974. (Provides general context on Chinese Export patterns like Fitzhugh and their Western appeal.)

Hervouët, François and Nicole. Chinese Armorial Porcelain. London: Han-Shan Tang Ltd., 1986. (While often armorial, this work covers the general production and stylistic trends of 18th and 19th-century export porcelain.)

Cohen, Marvin. The Orientalist. (General reference for the popularity and dating of the Blue Fitzhugh pattern in the export trade.)

(Ref: NY8655-prr) See less