A very impressive pair of 13″ Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period vases of ribbed form resting upon slightly flared bases, each decorated in underglaze blue with shaped reserves against a lattice ground, and each reserve featuring a flower representing one of the four seasons; lotus, peony, chrysanthemum and prunus. The floral motif continues with peony and molded lotus petal bands around the neck, cover and base. Minor restoration to covers and necks of both vases, and the corner of one base, and some very minor glaze fritting as can be expected,  otherwise in very good condition. Circa 1690.

An outstanding example of the fine Yongzheng wares being produced and catering to the demands of the Western market, this handsome armorial charger is from a special order service made for a one time Lord Mayor of London. Bearing the elaborately detailed central arms of MERTINS impaling PECK, it is illustrated and discussed in the venerable tome by David Howard, Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, Page 213. In very good condition, 12 1/4″ in diameter and dating to circa 1725.

A very fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period Famille Jaune ginger jars, meticulously decorated with an overall scrolling foliate design on a soft yellow ground, each with a finely carved hardwood cover. The skill of the painting enhanced only by the ground color as yellow was a difficult color to fire in a kiln. Measuring 10″ tall and dating to circa 1700. Previously lamped, but now professionally restored, the bodies of the jars without any chips, breaks or lines and presenting beautifully. Formerly in the collections of Bernard Barouk and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

A very attractive Japanese Meiji period four panel screen depicting hand painted  pine and prunus against a gilded cloud background mounted within a brocade mat and simple black frame.  Measuring 37″ tall x 8′ 3″ wide. Originally used on the floor, but equally beautiful wall mounted, either way a very soothing and pleasing presence in any space. Minor imperfections and restorations commensurate with age, but overall good condition. Edo Period.    $3800.

A very impressive Chinese export porcelain wine cooler, decorated in famille rose enamels with elegant flowering branches, the bulbous form raised upon a flared base and surmounted by a flared monteith style rim, the rim decorated as well on the interior. Heavily potted to support ice and wine for a lavish entertainment, this magnificent piece, modeled after European silver forms, would have been a status symbol in its day, gracing a nobleman’s sideboard, a sign of his gracious and liberal entertaining. Measuring 13″ x 19″ x 16″. With a crack sealed and a chip to one of the monteith lappets restored, otherwise, very good condition. Third quarter of the 18th century.

An especially lovely Japanese porcelain tea pot, the melon-form body with segmented panels decorated in the Kakiemon style with a flowering prunus stretching across one side and flowers issuing from rockwork on the other, the prunus motif continuing on the cover. Measuring 6″ x 4″. Very good condition. The cover with some slight crazing  and a perfect fit.  Late 17th/early 18th century.

A nice example of an 18th century Chinese export porcelain spoon tray, of shaped form with Mandarin decoration. Measuring 5″ x 3 1/2″ and in good condition with only slight wear (from all those spoons!) and a minor frit to the edge. Qianlong period, circa 1770.

A lovely Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period tea bowl and saucer, decorated in famille rose enamels with reserves of cockerels and flowering peony against a meticulously gilded cellwork ground. Thinly potted and finely enameled, and in very good condition. The saucer 4″ in diameter. Circa 1730. $1,950.00

With the quality of potting and porcelain and the attention to detail one can expect from the Yongzheng period, this vibrantly enameled tea bowl and saucer, rendered in famille rose, is beautifully decorated with lotus blossoms against a diapered ground. The saucer measuring 4″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1730.

A superlative Chinese export porcelain molded saucer dish with a barbed edge, thinly potted, richly glazed, decorated in underglaze blue and centered with a classic Chinese landscape deftly brushed in the “Master of the Rocks” style. The lotus border, in contrast to the spontaneously brushed landscape, is a careful study in meticulous rendering, the lotus theme repeating on the molded panels on the reverse side and surrounding a centered six-character mark. Measuring 8″ in diameter and, other than a few rim frits filled, in great condition. Kangxi period, circa 1690.

An especially fine Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period snuff bottle in the form of a baluster vase and decorated in underglaze blue with peasants within a classic landscape and a scholar in his study, the bottom centered with a Yongzheng mark and of the period. Despite it being only 2″ tall, as much care and attention was lavished on its decoration as if it were a temple vase. Minor frit at the rim color filled and faint lines sealed in the body . The stopper and spoon, if not original, is a very old replacement. A rare survivor indeed. Circa 1730.

A strikingly beautiful Chinese export porcelain 11 1/4″ rimmed saucer dish painted in a vibrant underglaze cobalt blue with a lone scholar walking through a mountainous landscape, a waterfall nearby with fish bounding upstream, all within a narrow border rendered with flowering prunus and peony branches, this motif  repeating on the reverse. A harmonious composition, and a finely crafted piece of porcelain with a luminous glaze typical of the best production of this period. Very good condition with only three minute rim frits and a restored chip to the reverse. Early Kangxi circa 1670. $5,800.00

A very attractive Chinese export porcelain handled cup and saucer, made for the American market in the Brown Fitzhugh pattern and more specifically, from a service ordered for, and bearing the initials of, prominent Philadelphia China Trader, JAMES LARGE MIFFLIN, who was the grand nephew of Thomas Mifflin, first governor of Pennsylvania. Lovely quality and amazing, hand-painted and gilded detailing. Faint line to the cup, otherwise very good condition and a great form for any American market collector. Saucer 5 1/2″ in diameter.  Circa 1825. $1,450.00

A very charming set of three Japanese export porcelain Kutani cats, their spots richly rendered in gilding, each recumbent feline of graduated size, happily dozing, adorned with a red bow and bell about its neck. Measuring 6 1/2″, 4″ and 2 1/8″ long and in very good condition. Late 19th/early 20th century. $850.00

An especially fine Chinese export porcelain  9″ armorial plate, made for the English market, centered with the very grand Arms of Hanbury in pretence with Comyn, this plate was part of a service ordered by prominent London Quaker merchant John Hanbury (1700-1758). According to Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 265, “This famous ‘Virginia Merchant’ was granted very considerable lands in Maryland and Virginia, and aroused animosity among his Quaker friends for permitting slavery on his estates”. Please note the exquisitely wrought gilded grapevine borders, virtually untouched from the day the service was unpacked on the East India docks! Yongzheng period, circa 1735.

A very attractive Chinese export porcelain teabowl and saucer made for the American market, decorated with a central image rendered en grisaille of an expansive country house, possibly Rosewell, one of the great Philadelphia country estates of the time along the Schuykill River. This is encircled by a peach and sepia enameled Regency-style border with gilded highlights, most likely derived from English porcelain patterns of the time. The saucer 5 1/2″ in diameter, the teabowl 3 3/8″, both in very good condition. Circa 1800-1810.

A very beautiful and well-known early Chinese export porcelain armorial soup plate made for the English bearing the arms of GODFREY, decorated with a meticulous underglaze blue foliate border of peony, pine and prunus, centered at the top with a black-a-moor crest, the central design a famille rose armorial. Most likely ordered for the family by a cousin who was serving as a supercargo in Canton in 1728, making this an early example of the use of the newly developed famille rose palette. See Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 172. One of several export services ordered for the Godfrey family. Piece out of the rim and put back, some wear to enamels, otherwise good condition. 8 1/2″. Yongzheng period, circa 1728. $1050.00

A charming Chinese export porcelain coffee can and saucer made for the American Market with a Philadelphia connection.We know of several services with this specific sawtooth border and sepia roundel decoration featuring a fisherman in front of a house along a riverbank with Philadelphia family connections; this coffee can and saucer with a history of descent in the DuPont family. Good condition, circa 1800. $275.00

An especially lovely example of Chinese export porcelain made for the English market, this elegant 9″ plate is decorated in famille rose enamels with the arms of Napier of Ballikinrany. The design is centered with a quatrefoil reserve with a European town scene, the family arms rest on the bottom border, and their crest at the top, alternating with two charming scenes within rococo cartouches that are usually associated with the “Valentine pattern” depicting such romantic imagery as a pair of faithful dogs, and a pair doves resting upon Cupid’s quiver while a heart burns upon an altar of love. Very good condition with only a very minor line sealed. Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 320. Circa 1745.

A real tour-de-force of famille rose decoration, this wonderfully rich and symbolic Chinese export porcelain soup plate is vibrantly painted with a central scene of Mandarin ducks swimming amongst lotus; the ducks a symbol of marital bliss as they mate for life, and the lotus, the Buddhist symbol of purity, all encircled by a rim of the Eight Immortals, each upon an emblematic creature riding amongst swirling waves. Exotic imagery indeed, sure to have delighted the European clientele to which it was shipped, despite most of the Chinese symbolism having been lost on their Western audience. 9″ diameter.Very minor rim frits, otherwise excellent condition. Very early Qianlong period, circa 1740-45.

A great early Chinese export porcelain rectangular platter of octagonal form made for the American market and decorated en grisaille from a service made for Samuel Vaughan and Sarah Hallowell of Boston. The central decoration is based upon a rococo style armorial bookplate designed for Vaughan, and the rim contains vignettes of landscapes and birds upon flowering branches. The grisaille on the interior arms strengthened; rim reserves with somewear.  One of two we have at present (see # 4713).  . 9 1/2″ x 13 1/4″.  Circa 1747. Illustrated in Schiffer’s China for America page 34.

Meticulously decorated sepia Fitzhugh saucers made for the Philadelphia market centered with a roundel inscribed with the gilded monogram , JLM, James Large Mifflin.  He was  the nephew of Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvannia.

A fine example of this well-known Chinese export porcelain made for the English Market, bearing the Arms of Mertins impaling Peck, and finely rendered in early, Yongzheng period, famille rose enamels. Sir George Mertins was a Sheriff of Essex in 1705 and a Lord Mayor of London in 1725.  His son, John Henry Mertins married one Elizabeth Peck in 1717 and it is most likely for that union that this service was ordered. The flamboyant armorial is centered within a gilded and iron red cell-work border with reserves of Daoist emblems; the outer rim border with meandering flowering vines and peony blossoms. Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, and in very fine condition with the exception of a star line to the glaze on the reverse.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 213. Circa 1725.

This is a truly rare find indeed for those who are interested in both Chinese export porcelain and early American history as these teawares are from a service ordered by Thomas Mifflin (1744-1800) of Philadelphia. He was an aide-de-camp to George Washington, later promoted to General in the Continental Army (which got him kicked out of the Quaker church), he was also a signer of the U. S. Constitution, and the first Governor of Pennsylvania. He and his wife are elegantly depicted in a double portrait by John Singleton Copley which now hangs in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And like most Founding Fathers he ordered an elegant Chinese export teaset; this one with the refined and restrained aesthetic so typical of the Federal period of our new republic with an overglaze blue and dotted border centered with a cartouche inscribed with an “M” surmounted by a dove with an olive branch. (Once a Quaker, always a Quaker!)  7 1/4″ plates and teabowls and saucers available. Excellent condition. Circa 1785-1790.

We are very fortunate to have a pair of fine Chinese export famille rose figural candleholders, modeled after elegant court ladies holding a pair of vases. Each elegantly coiffed and arrayed in flowing robes tied with purple ribbons and decorated with roundels and sprigs of flowers, everywhere hightlighted with gilded detail. Each measuring 16 1/4″ tall. One with restored fingers and vase. Exceptional quality of decoration, and to have a pair! Truly rare survivors. Late 18th century.

A completely charming porcelain menagerie of Japanese Hirado water dropper animal figures, very well-sculpted and detailed, most likely representing animals of the Zodiac. This collection comprising a boar, a snake, a horse, an ox, a rabbit, a tiger, a dog, and a dragon. Very minute frits to a couple of the creatures, otherwise all in great condition. Meiji period, late 19th century.

A especially fine rendition of a Chinese export armorial service special ordered for the English Market, this wonderful soup plate has an exuberantly painted full Arms of Pigot centering the design, surrounded with a gilded diaperwork cavetto and spearhead- bordered rim. The service was made for George Pigot of Patshull, Staffordshire, who became Governor of Fort St. George, Madras from 1755-63 and again in 1775-77 where he died under mysterious “confined” circumstances. He was created a baronet in 1764. 9″ in diameter.  Excellent condition.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 251.

Another fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the Western market with specific European decoration, this charming teabowl and saucer is finely rendered with scenes of “Romantic Conversation”, most likely from prints after the French artist Pater. Measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter (saucer) and 2 1/2″ diameter (teabowl) and dating to circa 1750, it is pictured in Hervouet, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a Decors Occidentale, page 170.

An extremely rare and very fine Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period desk set, exquisitely decorated with famille rose enamels depicting exotic birds amongst flowering branches and Mandarin scenes, as well as landscape vignettes in puce and en grisaille and borders of highly detailed gilded floral scrollwork. Comprising a covered pen box, pair of square inkwells and a candleholder.  Measuring approximately 8″ wide, 4″ deep and 3″ tall. Candleholder restored as well as the top of one inkwell, otherwise superb decoration and amazingly complete, a vestige of when letter writing was an art form.  Circa 1735.

Imari Butterfly Dish

An unusual Imari dish in the form of a butterfly. Japanese, late 19th Century. Excellent condition.

#3612

A very fine example of the chinese export FitzHugh pattern in one of the rarest and most desirable of colors! Richly painted in raspberry enamel and gilded this 8″ plate is in excellent condition and dates to the last quarter of the 18th Century.

#3677

Armorial Plate Bearing the Arms of Holborne

This rare armorial bears images of Portsmouth on one side and the Pearl river on the other. In between these two is what was then called Madras. $2,850.

#3644