A very nice Chinese export porcelain reticulated oval serving dish hand-painted with a riverscape view of the “Folly Fort” at the entrance of the Pearl River, known as Bocca Tigris,  leading up to the port at Canton. After months of at sea, this would have been one of the first landmarks China traders would have seen marking the end of their arduous journey and the beginning of their trading season at the factories of Canton.  A very interesting view of the early China Trade, sometimes also appearing in paintings of the period.  Measuring 9 1/4″ x 11 1/2″.  In very good condition with the exception of a little stacking wear and enamel retouch.  Circa 1790-1800.

A truly impressive 18 1/2″ Chinese export porcelain platter and mazzarene decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels with richly detailed Mandarin court scenes; the platter with a scene of a great noble, or perhaps the Emperor himself, seated in a portico with attendants while noble personages are lined up to pay court; the mazzarene with a less decorous scene depicting a grand meal on a garden terrace with a guest sitting on the floor…perhaps one two many “libation cups”?  Note the attention to detail with the servants and dishes of food. Both pieces edged with lush garden imagery with fretwork fences, birds, flowers and butterflies.  Very good condition. Circa 1800-1810.

An absolutely exquisite Chinese export porcelain Kendi decorated in Famille Rose enamels and hand-painted with richly dressed courtly figures upon a garden gallery and terrace, the landscape continuing around the vessel with a profusion of peonies, flowering prunus and chrysanthemums amongst rockwork. The floral motif continues as well around the shoulder with a collar of peony and gilded scrolling vines beneath the neck also with peony branches.  A perfectly shaped form with a pronounced flaring mouth, representing some of the best painting of the late Yongzheng/early Qianlong periods – note the detail of the robes, and the small rabbit on the gallery with the attendants.  Measuring 8 1/2″ tall and in excellent condition. Circa 1740-1745.

A fine Chinese export porcelain 5 1/2″ saucer made for the American market, centered with a sepia eagle supporting a red-striped shield beneath a radiant halo of gold stars. Originally part of a complete tea service ordered by a patriotic citizen of our new Republic, circa 1800-1810.  The saucer with a small rim flake filled to the reverse along with a firing line to the rim with an associated glaze line, otherwise a great addition to an American market collection with a superbly rendered American eagle after an early version of the United States.

A very fine example of Kangxi period Chinese export porcelain decorated in the Famille Verte palette, this elegant flared bowl with a barbed rim is beautifully painted with alternating molded panels of flowering branches of peony, prunus, and chrysanthemum along with birds and butterflies, the floral motif continued on the interior, the overall effect light and joyful.  Measuring 4 1/2″ tall x 9″ in diameter and in very good condition with the exception of minor rim frits filled.  Circa 1700.

A fine and rare Japanese Arita porcelain charger decorated in the Dame au Parasol pattern after designs by Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk.  Versions of this pattern were done in both Japanese and Chinese export porcelain and it was always cause for a bit of speculation why the Dutch East India Company commissioned a Dutch artist to produce primarily Chinese-themed designs to be rendered by Asian decorators onto Asian porcelain to be sent back to the Netherlands?!  Either way, the wares proved too costly to produce and the project eventually abandoned, leaving a rare example of one of the few known European artists to have supplied original designs to the Chinese and Japanese porcelain makers.  This fine example measures 12 1/2″ in diameter and is in very good condition with the exception of a small rim chip to the reverse restored. Mid 18th century.

A beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain octagonal form plates decorated in Famille Rose enamels each centered with a scene of a Mandarin family upon a garden terrace either in late autumn or winter as the leaves are off the willow and the pine tree supports the only garden greenery.  Also note the affluent family are all bundled up against the cold – the father with a fur jacket, the mother with a fur collar and even the child has fur cuffs on his robe.  Furs were a status symbol and much sought after; furs and sealskins were in fact one of the few commodities the Chinese were interested in trading for with Western supercargoes. Each scene is surrounded by an elegant gilded rococo border with landscape vignettes. The plates measuring 8 1/2″ and are in very good condition. Qianlong period, third quarter of the 18th century.

A handsome Chinese export porcelain strap-handled drum teapot decorated with a sepia eagle with gilded details supporting a shield beneath a halo of stars. Based upon an early version of the Great Seal of the United States. Measuring 9″ x 5 1/2″. The original owner’s gilded initials worn away, but otherwise in very good condition.  Circa 1800-1810.

A generously sized Chinese export porcelain strap-handled tankard, made for the American market centered with a hand-painted sepia eagle supporting a floral-decorated shield beneath a halo of gilded stars, taken from an early version of the Great Seal of the United States.  With only a 1/4″ line to the rim, otherwise superb original condition. Measuring 5 1/2″ tall and dating to circa 1800.  $1,150.00

A very handsome pair of Chinese export porcelain 11″ saucer dishes, painted in vibrant cobalt blue with classic riverscapes all within hand-cut reticulated borders. The use of white space particularly effective with these images.  Both in very good condition, the second dish presently having very minor rim glaze losses filled, so image not available at this time.  Circa 1800.

A very impressive display of the potter’s art, this  elegant Chinese export porcelain 8″ openwork fruit basket is finely crafted and decorated in Famille Rose enamels centered with a bird on a flowering peony branch, the overlapping circular reticulation rendered as a faux finish – perhaps to resemble tortoiseshell? With only a small repair to the edge of the rim and one of the circles of reticulation – otherwise in fine condition and a rare survivor. Bearing an old collection sticker from Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe. Circa 1750.  $3,800.00

A rather unusual Chinese export porcelain oval platter and mazzarene decorated in Famille Rose enamels in the Rose Medallion pattern with its charming vignettes of Mandarin scenes and birds and flowers against a densely hand-painted floral and butterfly ground. This was an enormously popular pattern in the 19th century and many services were produced, but this is one of a group of  special bespoke services, special-ordered with a family motto and crest.  What is particularly unusual is that this one bears the crest unassumingly on the reverse of the pieces decorated. The motto PRENEZ-GARDE was used by several families, primarily MACINTOSH of Scotland, but there also is a distinct possibility that this service has an American connection as this motto was also used by the Scottish RICKARD family whose descendant William Rickard emigrated to Newfoundland and then on to America where he became a noted chemist and metallurgist. In very good condition, being some of the best quality Rose Medallion produced and measuring 16 1/2″ x 13″ and dating to circa 1870.  Pictured in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. II, page 702. $1,700.00

A handsome Chinese export porcelain lighthouse form coffee pot decorated in Famille Rose enamels with Mandarin figures in a landscape, the pot and cover edged with a rich floral border with a gilded ground, the cover surmounted by a gilded leechee nut finial. Very good condition and a fine form for one’s collection, rather rare as we mostly have seen teapots in this decoration.

Measuring 9 3/4″ x 9″ . Circa 1820.

This Chinese export porcelain plate is decorated with a vibrantly blue enamel border dotted with flower heads encircling a rich central image in the Chinese taste of the Eight Immortals. Measuring 9 1/2″ in diameter and in good condition with only a minor restoration. A rather rare border pattern. Circa 1820.

A lovely rare pair of Chinese export porcelain beaker or sleeve vases, decorated front and back in Famille Rose enamels with images of a parrot perched upon a rather elegant swing clutching a cherry sprig. The painting after designs by Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk who was commissioned by the Dutch East India Company to create designs to be translated on to Chinese export porcelain; a rare instance where we actually know the artist of a design on export porcelain. Measuring 9 1/2″ tall and in very good condition with the exception of some slight discoloration to the porcelain ground, original to the firing of the pieces. One vase sprayed to the interior for aesthetic purposes and easily removable. Minor refresh to enamels of one parrot. Otherwise an elegant pair of Pronk vases. Circa 1750.  $4,800.00.

An especially fine Chinese export porcelain molded peony plate, decorated in beautifully nuanced Famille Rose enamels, the front covered with three lush peony blossoms, the reverse revealing the underneath of the blossoms with stems and leaves, all in molded relief. The peony is a revered flower in Chinese culture, a symbol of nobility, wealth and prosperity. Dating to the late Yongzheng/early Qianlong reigns, circa 1735-1750 and bearing an old dealer sticker from Matthew and Elizabeth Sharpe. In very good condition with only a small rim chip to the reverse, hardly noticeable and easily remedied. In our forty years of dealing, we have never seen one of these plates.

A really pleasing palette of Famille Rose colors helps make this charming pair of Chinese export porcelain tea bowls and saucers so appealing. Each piece is centered with a Mandarin scene of a scholar at his table with attendants while being approached by a supplicant bearing a goose. The general theme to this story is that the scholar was a legendary calligrapher who took inspiration from watching the movement of geese and the marks they left when padding about the ground. The supplicant, wishing to be trained by the master here offers him his finest goose in hopes of being taken on as a student. The scenes are finely painted within a light turquoise latticework border with with animal vignettes. This story was used to decorated some of the fine Rockefeller and palaceware services of the 1790s-early 1800s. Good condition with only a small rim chip to one restored, and the second with a faint hairline (easily restorable) to the tea bowl. Circa 1800-1810.

A rather rare form, this Chinese export porcelain scalloped edge chamberstick served as a salesman’s sample of sorts as it is finely decorated and gilded with four separate border patterns and a monogram in order to display to potential clients and supercargoes what were some of the latest styles available from the talented decorators at the Chinese potteries. Very few of these survive, Historic Deerfield has an example of a pot-de-creme. Very good condition. Circa 1800.

A pair of meticulously hand-painted Chinese export porcelain dinner plates rendered in the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern, in very good condition with only the slightest of stacking wear. The Fitzhugh pattern originated around 1785 and this popular design went through a range of versions in different colors, the Sepia dating to circa 1820.

A very unusual form in Chinese export porcelain, this wonderful 7 1/2″ blue and white candlestick is clearly based upon European metal forms of the late 17th century – even modeled with the little slit to insert a knife in order to pry out expired candle stubs. Nicely decorated with prunus blossoms and other foliate and decorative motifs. Evidence of glaze crazing and losses, but otherwise in very good condition and bearing the collection sticker of Matthew and Elizabeth Sharpe. Circa 1690-1720.

A finely painted Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer decorated en grisaille, the saucer with a central image of the Reverend Petrus Boudaan of Amsterdam (1666-1734) along with his coat-of-arms all within a scrolling gilded border, the same motifs repeated around the tea bowl. The Reverend was a highly regarded preacher in Amsterdam, a member of the City Council and Director of the VOC Chamber. This tea bowl and saucer was part of a commemorative service ordered by the Reverend’s son after his death and copied from a period engraving of the preacher.  It is a remarkable tribute as well to the talented Chinese decorators who could so easily replicate an engraved image with a painter’s brush. Very thinly potted and in good condition with only slight stacking wear and wear to the gilding on the saucer. Similar examples in China for the West and the Mottahedeh Collection. Circa 1740-45.

A very impressive Kangxi period Chinese export porcelain ewer decorated in Famille Verte enamels with a central design featuring a bird perched upon a flowering branch beneath the mask of a bearded man which looks down from under the ewer’s spout, the floral motif continues throughout the piece within decorative bands of lappet borders. This sort of form was taken directly from French silver forms of the period as many important silver objects were melted down to help pay for the ruinously expensive wars of Louis XIV. Fine imported Chinese porcelain was then ordered as replacements for the melted silver wares and became the new benchmark of luxury and status. This wonderful ewer was used for ablutions at the banquet or dressing table, or occasionally to pour wine and was made in two sizes, this one being the larger of the two. Measuring 10 1/2″ x 9″ and with only glaze losses restored to the handle, small loss to the mask;s nose, and a restoration to the edge of the spout, otherwise very good condition, a magnificent example of French baroque silver brilliantly interpreted in Chinese export porcelain. Late 17th/early 18th century.

A vibrantly enameled Chinese export porcelain 8″ plate decorated with a central Mandarin boating scene within a very richly painted outer border of birds, butterflies, and flowers against a gilded ground. The scene appears idyllic enough, but the story goes that courtesans often operated these boats of pleasure as we see here with a lovely lady seductively playing a stringed instrument while a family’s boat is passing by and a young man’s attentions are aroused by the music as his father beckons him from within their boat to pay no heed.  Very good condition. Circa 1820. $675.00

A rather rare pair of Chinese export porcelain Famille Rose wall pockets, modeled in the form of cornucopia with floral decoration and Mandarin figural borders, and mounted in a fine pair of English Regency gilded bronze sheep’s head mounts. Small restorations to the rim of the pockets, but otherwise good condition and bearing old collection stickers for Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe. Late 18th/early 19th century.

A great form for any collection, this early Chinese export porcelain Transitional period ewer is finely painted in underglaze blue with a continuous landscape scene featuring two attendants carrying things to their master, a scholar who reads taking his leisure in a garden. Please note the stylized tulip – a rare item at this time in the West – which decorates the neck of the piece adding to its exotic appeal. The form most likely taken from Middle Eastern metal vessels. Measuring 7″ x 6″ and in good condition with only a small restoration to the end of the spout and minor glaze losses commensurate with its age; covered in a rich, beautiful glaze. Mid-17th century.

An unusual coloration for this very popular Chinese export porcelain Fitzhugh patterned plate, its intricate hand painted design colored in with a wash of lime green enamel. This pattern comes in a variety of colors ranging from the most common, blue, to some of the rarest – raspberry, black and yellow. This lime color is surely on the rarer end of the spectrum as we seldom come across an example; we speculate that possibly only one dinner service of this color could have been made as we’ve seen so few examples over the years.  Measuring 9 1/2″ in diameter and in unusually fine condition with only a small chip restored.  Circa 1825.

A really fine Chinese export porcelain 12 1/2″ charger, decorated with a central design of flowering peony branches – the symbol of wealth and nobility -rendered in Famille Rose enamels and gilding within a gilded spearhead border, the cavetto and rim wonderfully painted with a grained faux bois ground against further peony branches.  The faux bois conceit masterfully rendered and continued on the reverse; similar patterned designs can later be found on European porcelains. Very good condition, early Qianlong, circa 1745. The reverse exhibiting some fine old collection stickers.

A very charming and auspicious Chinese export porcelain diminutive brush washer in the form of a frog decorated in a turquoise glaze and set upon a later custom carved wood stand. Along with their obvious association with water, frogs (and toads) symbolize wealth and prosperity and an object such as this was part of the accoutrements that would have graced a scholar’s table, perhaps given as a gift and a wish for prosperity and success upon graduation from his official exams. Measuring 3″ long and in very good condition with only a minor glaze lost to one of his small feet. Early 18th century.

A very attractive Chinese export porcelain footed cachepot, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with leisurely Mandarin figures and their attendants within a continuous landscape. The top edge of the pot bordered with a band of delicately rendered flowers. Measuring 3″ tall x 5″ in diameter.  In very good condition. Circa 1820.  $850.00

A fine Chinese export porcelain 10″ soup plate, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with a central Mandarin scene of a kneeling supplicant before an obviously important official on a rather grand garden terrace with marble steps overlooking a river in the background. The richness of detail continues in a full floral and butterfly border with gilded edging. The color and detail in these imaginative hand-painted pieces never ceases to catch the eye – note the well-rendered marble stair and the official’s detailed rank badge. Very good condition. Circa 1820.

A very special Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer made for the European market, thinly potted and bearing a finely rendered image of Moses Amongst the Bullrushes – almost certainly taken from a European engraving of the period. This grisaille-decorated ware, sometimes called ‘Jesuit ware’, often carried such images, both religious and secular, and we have often handled nativity and crucifixion scenes and portraits of Calvin and other religious leaders, but this is the first time we’ve seen a image of the baby Moses amongst the bulrushes.  In addition, we are pleased to have an example in such near pristine condition.  The saucer measuring 4″ in diameter, the tea bowl 3″.  Circa 1745. 

A really fantastic pair of Chinese export porcelain plates in the classic, much-sought-after Tobacco Leaf pattern, brilliantly painted in this exuberantly floral and foliate pattern. With so much of the surface covered in overglaze enamels one usually expects all manner of wear, but these two 9″ dinner plates are the exception – they are in great condition, with only the most minimal of retouch to any previous stacking wear. Circa 1760-1780.

A very engaging pair of Chinese export porcelain candle or joss stick holders in the form of recumbent elephants, finely hand-painted and detailed with gilded highlights and underglaze blue ‘banana leaf’ decorated candle sockets, measuring approximately 5″ x 5″. Restoration to the rim of the socket of one and the elephant trunk of the other, otherwise very good condition. Similar examples are illustrated in William Sargent’s book on The Copeland Collection in the Peabody Essex Museum, pages 242-243.

A really well-painted Chinese porcelain cylindrical-form brush pot meticulously rendered in grisaille and shades of iron red with a wonderful scene depicting a scholars’ gathering in what appears to be the interior of a summer house.  Three scholars are seated at a table before a wonderful folding screen painted with a flowering prunus, while a fourth guest arrives amongst attendants bearing refreshments. From the bowls of treats on the table, to the patterns of their robes, to floral arrangement on the root table, everywhere you look there is some new detail to engage your eye. Measuring 5″ tall x 4″ in diameter and in very good condition. Late 19th/early 20th century, most likely Republic period.

A really fine pair of Chinese export porcelain shaped dinner plates meticulously hand-painted in a raspberry enamel, each with a central scene of a ship flying what appears to be a Dutch flag ailing through choppy seas towards a city on the horizon, most likely Amsterdam, one of the premier China Trade ports of the world at this time. The very linear rendering, almost certainly taken from a engraving of the period, is encircled with a border of a snake swallowing its own tail. This ancient emblem originated in Egypt and is called an ouroboros and it denotes the repetitive cycle of creation arising out of destruction. How this image ended up on a piece of Chinese porcelain with a European maritime image is cause for further speculation. What is more keeping with the period of the plate is the charming scrolling and foliate and gilded spearhead borders. Both plates measuring 9″ in diameter and in great condition with only slight re-touch to minimal stacking wear. Fantastic maritime images of the China Trade. Mid-18th century.

A very attractive Chinese export porcelain hot water serving dish, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with a central Mandarin scene of what appears to be a scholar and his assistant on a garden terrace, the servant presenting a letter to a rather dodgy-looking messenger with a rather menacing-looking staff. The nuances of this meeting are lost as one is distracted by the totally charming fish-decorated border where koi and crayfish and crabs cavort amongst foam-green flower-strewn waves. Measuring 10 1/2″ spout to spout and in very good condition. Circa 1820.

A rather rare and highly unusual Ming period Chinese sancai-glazed biscuit ewer in the form of a crayfish poised upon a lotus leaf riding the crest a wave with koi jumping amongst the swirling waters on either side, and a further companion, a toad, forming the cover of the ewer, riding upon the crayfish’s back. The color, composition, and form of this piece all adds to its charm and whimsy.  Pieces such as these were made not only for the Chinese market, but also for the Southeast Asian trade, especially Indonesia, where they were used for wine vessels in ritual ceremonies, as well as a few making their way into early noble and royal European collections where they were admired as curiosities and given as diplomatic gifts. Measuring approximately 8″ tall x 5″ wide, this one appears in rather good condition with only some restoration to the cover, the tip of the spout, and one of the crayfish legs. Similar example in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam                Circa 1573-1620.

A fine Chinese export porcelain 10″ dinner plate, richly decorated in Famille Rose enamels and centered with a great Mandarin scene of figures on a rather grand marble and latticework terrace all within a lush border full of flowers and butterflies, all with gilded detail. Great detail throughout, note in the foreground the rockwork garden and the brushwork on the willow tree. In very good condition. This would have certainly made up part of an extensive and rather eye-catching dinner service. Circa 1820.

A very finely potted Yongzheng period eggshell porcelain saucer, exquisitely decorated to a very high standard of craftsmanship, hand-painted in rich Famille Rose enamels that sit “proud of the surface” with a central peony roundel against a scrolling gilded foliate ground. A very small line at the rim on the reverse, otherwise very good condition, and bearing the collection sticker of K.R. Rizk whose collection was known for this degree of quality. Circa 1730.

A rather rare and unusual form for Chinese export armorial porcelain, this finely crafted diminutive pickle dish bears the Arms of MacDonald of Scotland. This little gem reflects the level of artistry put into these special order dinner services; no matter how many pieces (and these services were expansive) or what size the piece, each form was hand-painted with the same degree of meticulous quality. Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 279. Circa 1795.

A lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain kidney-shaped serving dishes vibrantly hand-painted in Famille Rose  enamels with central Mandarin scenes within a colorful border of well-rendered flowers and butterflies with a gilded edge.  Measuring 8″ x 11″ and in very good condition with only slight wear commensurate with age and felt pads adhered to the foot rims. This is always a pleasing form to add to one’s collection. Circa 1820.

A very fine Yongzheng period Chinese export porcelain footed hexagonal form brush pot, decorated in the Chinese taste in Famille Rose enamels with each panel containing a different figural scene.  Measuring 5″ tall by 4″ wide, this desirable form suffers only from some glaze losses along the edges of the piece, otherwise it is in very good condition with each panel presenting a rich and colorful scene.  A cylindrical Famille Rose brush pot of the same period with figural decoration measuring 5 5/8″ tall sold at Sotheby’s New York in September 2019 for $16,250.00.                     Circa 1730-1735.

A very rare Chinese export porcelain oval platter of impressive size and desirable decoration, finely hand-painted in the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern and centered with a large American eagle supporting a monogrammed shield and bearing in its beak a banner inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM  taken from an early version of the Great Seal of the United States. Part, undoubtedly, of a special order dinner service whose original owner BSP, as inscribed on the shield, remains sadly unidentified. Measuring 12 1/2″ tall x 15 1/2″, we do not think we have ever had an example of Sepia Fitzhugh this large and with an eagle of this size. Despite some kiln ash from it’s original production, this piece is in remarkably great condition with no damage or repairs, the eagle decoration intact and only minor retouch to stacking wear in the cavetto.  A centerpiece for any Fitzhugh or American market collection.  Circa 1820.

A beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain hot water serving dishes, richly hand-decorated with central Mandarin scenes within gilded cavettos, the rim bordered with swirling dragons alternating with small reserves of flaming pearls, a reserve at the top inscribed with the gilded monogram of the owner who originally ordered this spectacular service. Measuring 10″ across and in good condition with the exception of a very small rim chip to one, and some stacking wear to one cavetto. Circa 1795-1810.

A very fine group of special order Chinese export porcelain hand-painted in the Blue Fitzhugh pattern and made for the English market, each piece bearing the ARMS of HILL DAWE quartering MOORE, LEWES AND SELWYNE. Discussed on page 645, vol. II in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain. Brilliant cobalt blue with contrasting gilding and polychrome central armorial. Very good condition, circa 1795.  10″, 8″ and 6″ plates along with a sauceboat and undertray. Priced individually.

A rather rare pair of Chinese export hand-painted wallpaper panels, rendered in gouache, one with a scene from tea production, the other representing one of the steps in porcelain production. These were most likely part of  more expansive continuous scenes depicting the processes of tea and porcelain production and were at some later point cut down and mounted as screen or decorative panels. The tea scene shows the packers being brought dried tea leaves as they stomp them into their packing crates; the porcelain scene represents one of the decorators workshops where the pieces were hand-painted before being fired, a laborer in the foreground bearing a yoke of firewood for the kiln. Both an extraordinary snapshot in time, beautifully rendered in warm colors and rich detail. Each measuring 58 1/2″ tall by 22 1/2″ wide and with the usual surface scuffs and abrasions and minor inpainting expected of pieces of this age, but in overall good and stable condition. Late 18th/early 19th century. Sold individually.

A pair of rare Chinese export hand-painted wallpaper panels, rendered in gouache on paper, later mounted as screen panels, depicting a father and son in their garden with their house in the background and with other family members seen in a gallery and through a window and with servants or vendors coming upon the scene, one yoked with baskets of vegetables. Are the squabbling cockerels in the garden mimicking the unruly child on the terrace gallery?  Lovely warm colors and rich in detail, these two panels were undoubtedly part of a more expansive scene at one time and would have captivated the western customers for which they were intended…and still do. Measuring 58 1/2″ tall x 22″ wide, the panels have the usual scuffs, minor inpainting and wear commensurate with age, but are in overall very good and stable condition. Late 18th/early 19th century.