18th-Century Chinese Export Oval Porcelain Dish

Details

Description

The Chinese ExpoScholarly Abundance: Famille Rose 'Precious Objects' Dish

Object: Chinese Export porcelain Oval Serving Dish (Platter)
Origin: China (Canton … Read more The Chinese ExpoScholarly Abundance: Famille Rose 'Precious Objects' Dish

Object: Chinese Export porcelain Oval Serving Dish (Platter)
Origin: China (Canton for Export)
Date: Circa 1765-1775 (Qianlong Period)
Medium: Hard-Paste Porcelain, Famille Rose Overglaze Enamels, and Gilding

Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches wide x 11 1/2 inches deep x 1 1/4 inches high (36.20 cm x 29.21 cm x 3.18 cm).

This superb oval dish is a quintessential example of Chinese Export porcelain created during the celebrated Qianlong period, the apex of both Qing dynasty craftsmanship and the historic China Trade. Produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen for the burgeoning Western market, this piece masterfully combines a distinctly European oval form with a rich Chinese decorative vocabulary.

The central medallion is artfully decorated with a collection of "Precious Objects," also known as the "Hundred Antiques" (Bǎibǎo). This beloved motif is not merely decorative; it is a rebus, a collection of auspicious symbols conveying wishes for a cultivated and prosperous life. The objects depicted, such as scholarly vases and pots of blooming flowers, represent elegance, learning, and good fortune. The surrounding border of meandering floral vines, painted with the delicate shading characteristic of the Famille Rose palette, reflects a subtle Rococo sensibility that would have appealed directly to the European consumer.

The oval form, intended for serving roasts or fish at a grand dining table, highlights the dynamic interplay between the Chinese artisans and their foreign clientele. Shipped from the port of Canton (modern Guangzhou), pieces like this were treasured status symbols in the West, embodying the exotic allure and technical perfection of Chinese porcelain that remained unrivaled in Europe at the time. This dish is not simply a beautiful object, but a tangible artifact of 18th-century global commerce and the fascinating cultural exchange between East and West.

Reference

Howard, David S. A Tale of Three Cities: Canton, Shanghai, Hong Kong (For general context on the China Trade).

(Ref: NY8247-plr) See less