A good example of a Chinese export porcelain tea bowl, made for the American market, hand-painted with the image of a ship, its sails furled, flying two American flags. With a very small rim chip filled and a very short line sealed, otherwise in good condition with a well-painted ship and flags. Measuring 2″ x 3 1/2″ and dating to circa 1800. 

A fine Chinese export porcelain punch pot of substantial size hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with two large roundels depicting a Mandarin scene upon a garden terrace against a gilded foliate ground with bird and floral vignettes, the cover surmounted with a peach knop and with matching decoration, the ‘crabstock’ handle and spout gilded.  Measuring 7 1/2″ x 10″ and in very good condition with only a tiny nibble out of the end of the spout and the handle with some gilding loss from use.  A fine sized piece for presentation and display.  Late 18th century, the gilding of a similar pattern used upon Palaceware services circa 1795.

An especially fine Chinese export porcelain handled cup, often referred to as a ‘can’, and saucer, very well-painted with detailed Mandarin scenes in Famille Rose enamels in reserve against a fantastically rich and detailed gilt ground of scrolling decoration, along with sepia vignettes of birds and landscapes and edged with a flowerhead border.  The artistry of these pieces is just masterful, the level of detail mind-boggling, note the game board the ladies are playing on the saucer, and the root chair a lady is sitting in, not to mention all the landscape scenes. This was some of the most expensive special-order export porcelain one could commission at the time and given the time-consuming detail and gilding that is understandable.  In addition, the elaborate gilding is frequently worn on these pieces and these are in remarkably good condition.  Often also referred to as the Rockefeller Pattern as Nelson Rockefeller owned a complete service in a similar pattern!  The saucer 5 3/4″ in diameter, the can 2 3/4″ tall.  Circa 1790-1805.

A fine Chinese export porcelain oval platter, decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels, painted with a central scene of courtly Mandarin ladies upon a garden terrace being watched with great interest by a gentleman in a pavilion window.  The scene within a gilded and orange enamel border of dragons which symbolize strength, power, and good luck for people who are worthy of it, amongst swirling clouds and flaming pearls.  Good condition, measuring 11 1/2″ x 14 1/2″. Circa 1810-1820.

A rather rare Chinese export porcelain 9″ plate decorated with Famille Rose enamels with a rare European subject depicted The Wounded Hussar, obviously made for the Western market and taken from a mezzotint of the same name after a painting by George Carter, c. 1776. The central image bordered with a lattice edge and centered at the top with a shield and crest with a pseudo cipher.   Perhaps commissioned to celebrate an enemy’s humiliating defeat?  Circa 1780.

A beautiful Chinese Dehua Blanc-de-chine censor of simple, elegant form with charming Foo Lion mask handles after earlier archaic forms.  Very good condition and measuring 3″ tall x 5 1/2″ in diameter. Late 17th/early 18th century.

A spectacular Chinese export porcelain armorial platter, hand-painted in a rich Famille Rose palette with Mandarin decoration depicting a rather animated scene of some sort of Imperial court theatrical being performed for various nobles and dignitaries and all within a rather rare and unusual Chinese riverscape border centered with a family crest and motto at the top. From a service made for the English market bearing the Arms of Waterhouse and ordered for the Waterhouse family of Halifax, Yorkshire. The detailed border as rich and varied as the central scene itself. Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 787.  Very good condition and measuring an impressive 17″.  Jiaqing period, circa 1805.

A very elegant Chinese export porcelain 15″ punchbowl hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with a continuous scene of Mandarin figures taking their leisure in a landscape around the exterior, a gilded spearhead border rims the interior edge with peony blossoms centering the bottom of the bowl.  The enamels subtle and the painting finely detailed – note the silk patterns of their robes. A wonderful piece with only three lines sealed, otherwise very good condition, the decoration intact.  Qianlong period, circa 1770.

A truly elegant Yongzheng period Chinese export porcelain flare-rimmed bowl hand-painted in the Chinese taste with decorated with images of koi fish amongst seaweed with a rich gilded grapevine border.  In addition to the koi being portrayed in various elegant poses capturing their movements in water,  they also represent auspicious wishes for wealth, as well as symbolizing tenacity and courage. This remarkable 7″ bowl was obviously treasured for over two centuries as there is only  a short 1/4″ line to the rim sealed, otherwise very fine condition.  Yongzheng period, circa 1730.

A charming and richly detailed pair of Chinese export porcelain handled cups and saucers made for the American market each piece depicting the scene of a Sailor’s Farewell with a heartbroken young lady embracing her departing beau as he gestures to the ship he is about to board in the distance which appears to be flying an American flag.  Poignantly, a pair of love birds are flying apart in the sky above, and a nicely detailed village view completes the scene.  All rendered in a puce enamel, most likely taken from an engraving of the period and very unusual to be incorporating the flag of the newly created American republic on the ship.  Very minor rim roughness corrected, and some minor wear and re-touch to enamels, otherwise very good condition. Late 18th century.

Two fine examples of Chinese export porcelain made for the early American market, these two teawares are each hand-painted with three-masted ships with their sails furled, and each flying two American flags of the early republic. The 5″ dome-shouldered tea caddy with a minute line to the neck sealed; the   3 1/2″ diameter teabowl with three hairlines sealed, otherwise all in very good condition.  The caddy with a Marchant/London  sticker of the bottom.  Circa 1800. The caddy SOLD, the tea bowl still available

A great pair of Chinese export reticulated armorial baskets and undertrays, made for the English market and bearing the Arms of Snodgrass from a special order service made for Thomas Snodgrass in service to the East India Company in Madras.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 727.  One basket with both handles restored, the other basket with one handle restored; otherwise in remarkably good condition.  Circa 1800.

A fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period Famille Verte punch pots each decorated with panels of flowering branches amongst rockwork and butterflies and each marked G on the bottom.  This cryptic mark has occasionally appeared over the years on pieces we’ve acquired, and although we have yet to ascertain who or what G represents, it always appears on piece of superior quality of export from this period.  Each pot measuring approximately 6 1/4″ high x 10″ wide.  One with a line to the bottom, the other in good condition. Kangxi period, circa 1700-1720.  Priced individually.

A fine strap-handled Chinese export porcelain cider jug decorated with Famille Rose enamels with a wonderfully detailed Mandarin scene and colorful butterflies and floral sprigs, the jug and cover edged with a rich gilded dragon border and surmounted by a gilded foo lion finial. Measuring approximately  9 1/2″ tall with  restoration to a chip on the lip, handle, and u hairline to the body . A superlative example of Mandarin decoration.  Circa 1810-18

A truly fine Yongzheng period Chinese export porcelain 14″ armorial charger made for the English market, centered with the ARMS OF ELWICK against a backdrop of a very finely painted soft grisaille landscape, the rim meticulously rendered in a fine grisaille and gilded diapered border with reserves of further landscape views, centered at the top with the Elwick crest, the outer edge with a scrolling gilded foliate design.  The service was ordered for John Elwick, a Director of the East India Company from 1713-1720.  Illustrated and discussed in David Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 234. This service with its understated elegance and refinement of decoration exemplifies the Yongzheng period. Circa 1730.

Vol. I, page 214.

Two pairs of Chinese export porcelain scalloped rim plates decorated in Famille Rose enamels in the ever-popular Tobacco Leaf pattern, with a lush hand-painted floral and foliate  design in vibrant enamels and gilded highlights.  Measuring 9″ in diameter.  One pair, each with a sealed hairline to the reverse; the other pair in very good condition  Circa 1760-1780.

A charming and highly decorative pair of Chinese porcelain lychee nut pyramids, decorated in ‘egg and spinach’ glaze and modeled as pyramidal stacks of lychees with their leaves arranged in shallow scalloped dishes.  Possibly used as altar offerings in temples, or decoratively at home, the lychee nut is a symbol of romance, beauty, and good luck. Measuring 5 1/2″ tall and both in very good condition.  19th century.

A wonderful pair of Chinese export porcelain hot water dishes decorated in Famille Rose enamels with Mandarin decoration, each centered with a detailed scene of courtly Mandarin life within a fantastical rim bordered with swirling dragons chasing the flaming pearl, the top of the plates with a reserve inscribed with the gilded initials of the original owner of the service. In an era that produced some really brilliant designs, this is one of the best examples of the Mandarin services that we’ve had.  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter; one with a chip to the reverse, and both with very minor wear commensurate with age.  Circa 1800.

A very rare and especially beautiful Chinese porcelain 11″ Famille Jaune  Meirien saucer dish depicting a great beauty sitting at her dressing table upon a fenced terrace, admiring herself in a mirror, beside a vase of flowers, and before a large screen.  The entire image so precisely drawn and painted with a minimum of detail and against a open yellow which sets off the scene to a balanced perfection.  Measuring 11″ in diameter and with three short rim  lines  , otherwise in very good condition.  Circa 1690.

A wonderful pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period lotus-form 9″ dishes, each lotus petal panel hand-painted in vibrant cobalt blue with flowering branches of peony, prunus, lotus, and chrysanthemum amongst rockwork and insects, the flowers representing the four seasons, and both dishes edged with a chocolate rim . Each measuring 9″ across …. a few frits to the chocolate rim re-touched.  Kangxi period, circa 1690. 

A very fine rendering of the Royal Arms of Scotland adorns two sides of this fine Chinese export 9″ punch bowl which is also decorated with the original owner’s  initials.  Bowls such as these were used to demonstrate one’s allegiance to the Jacobite cause in the 18th century which sought to return the Scottish Stuart kings to the throne of England.  Sadly, those dreams disappeared with the Battle of Culloden Moor in 1746 when British forces defeated Charles Edward Stuart, “The Pretender” and his supporters.  This bowl a great witness to the supporters of this lost cause.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and with two lines restored, the Royal Arms beautifully detailed. Mid-18th century.

Two fine examples of the well-known Chinese export porcelain Dame au Parasol plates made to order after designs commissioned by Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk for the Dutch East India Company; one of the few examples of a known specific European design source for Chinese trade porcelain.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and in very good condition, circa 1745.

An especially fine Japanese Satsuma 7 1/2″ plate wondrously decorated with three highly detailed vignettes one of flowers, one with ladies seated at their leisure, and a third with warriors assisting a nobleman from a boat, all against a background that is a riot of patterns and flowers, all rendered with fine gilt detail. One can see in all the fine detail where Europeans found their inspiration for the Japanese influence in the Aesthetic  Movement of the later 19th century. Very good condition, Meiji period late 19th century.

A rather fine Chinese export porcelain armorial handled cup very well painted in the rare Black Fitzhugh pattern.  The form itself a bit unusual with a flared beaker silhouette and a gilded ring handle, most likely after English porcelain forms of the period, and decorated with a central diapered roundel bearing a family’s crest with the image of a falcon.  Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. II, page 541 where it is identified as one of four services bearing this crest and that it is likely from a service made for Capt. Joseph Cotton, a Director of the East India Company from 1795-1823.  It is also pointed out that this is the only known example of the Black Fitzhugh pattern with a British crest or armorial. Other than three small hairlines, the piece is in very good condition and exhibits a real mastery of the decorator’s paint brush.  Circa 1815.

Two nice examples of the Fitzhugh pattern in the form of strap-handled mugs. One rendered in the original classic Blue Fitzhugh pattern, the second hand-painted in the vibrant Green Fitzhugh. Both in good condition, the blue one measuring 4 1/2″ tall; the green one 4 1/4″.  Dating to circa 1800-1820.

A set of three Chinese export porcelain 7 3/4″ borderless plates decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels with wonderfully detailed Mandarin scenes; one with an official being received by a noble lady seated upon her terrace with attendants; a second plate depicting a lady seated in a garden playing the classic stringed instrument, the guzheng, to a rather enrapt group of ladies around her; and a third scene showing another terrace scene with a dancer and two not-so-amused Mandarins seated at a table both apparently asleep, one with his back to the performers!  These are somewhat unusual designs as most plates are decorated with images or scenes within borders around the cavetto and rims, here we have these scenes treated as paintings rendered across the entire surface of the plates. Highly decorative and insightful views into Mandarin life two centuries ago. (chips to rim restored) Circa 1810-1820.

A very elegant Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period soup plate hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with a central farewell scene as a Mandarin mounted upon a white horse takes his leave of his very elegant wife, preceded by his small attendant weighed down with all the baggage, the rim of the plate with fan-shaped stylized lotus motifs against a gilded diapered ground.  Measuring 9″ in diameter and in good condition with only a small rim restoration and fading to the gilded diapering. Pictured in George Williamson’s work The Book of Famille Rose.  Circa 1730.

A very elegantly designed Chinese export porcelain part tea and coffee service made for the American market each piece with a ermine-mantled shield bearing the script initials HB surmounted with a pair of lovebirds or doves and edged with a gilded swag border.  With a history of descent in the Bartlett family of Concord, Massachusetts and comprising a covered coffee pot, a drum tea pot with its scalloped stand, a helmet creamer,  four tea bowls, two handled cups, six saucers, two large biscuit dishes and a berry dish, 18 pieces total.  Restoration to the teapot handle, otherwise all in good condition with only very minor wear to the gilding.  Circa 1790-1800.

A very fine and impressively-sized pair of 19″ Chinese export porcelain covered vases from the Kangxi period, each of baluster form with molded bodies of lotus  petal shaped panels decorated in underglaze blue with alternating vignettes of courtly ladies on garden terraces and flowering pots of peony, the decorative motif carried onto the covers as well.  Bearing collection stickers from the Tibor Collection. Both covers with very minor rim restoration, otherwise the pair is in very good condition and sure to make a statement at 19″ tall. Circa 1690.  Price upon request.

A very rare Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer meticulously hand-painted in the Black Fitzhugh pattern with a lush floral border and centered with a monogrammed roundel inscribed AH, undoubtedly the original owner who special-ordered this striking service. The Fitzhugh pattern remained very popular since its first appearance in the later 18th century and the pattern was eventually rendered in a variety of colors ranging from the most common, blue, to more rare colored designs with black being one of the rarest. The saucer measuring 5 3/4″ in diameter, the tea bowl 3 1/2″.  In good condition with the exception of two faint lines to the tea bowl, easily sealed; the black decoration strong with virtually no wear whatsoever, minor wear to the gilded edge.  Circa 1810-1820.  Price upon request.

A spectacular form in the ever popular Tobacco Leaf pattern, this finely modeled Qianlong period sauce tureen shaped in the form of a pomegranate with three pomegranates forming the cover is painted in the vibrant Famille Rose palette that lends this pattern it’s rich appeal.  Serving pieces in the form of vegetables and animals were a tableware conceit that charmed and amused diners in the later 18th century.  Measuring approximately 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and in very good condition.  Circa 1760-1780.

A great form, this early Chinese export porcelain Imari palette punch pot is hand-painted in underglaze blue, iron red and gilded highlights, the pot with molded lotus petal panels, each decorated with a flowering pot or flowering bush of peony, prunus and chrysanthemum. all against a scrolling. diapered or flowerhead ground, the cover similarly decorated and surmounted by a lotus-petal knop, the handle and the spout painted with what appears to be a scrolling lotus design, hence the flowers  representing the Four Seasons cover the pot. This large vessel measures 7 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ and is certainly bigger than the usual sized teapots being made at this period.  It is in very good condition with only a very small line sealed at the base of the handle. Kangxi period, circa 1690-1710.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain flared rim bowl of impressive 12″ size hand-painted in the deep cobalt blue for which the Kangxi period was so well known.  Decorated to the exterior with eight lotus petal shaped panels with various rich flowering branches such as peony, chrysanthemum and prunus, the interior with a diapered border with cartouches of flowers, the bottom of the bowl with a large roundel of peony blossoms. Very minor rim frits and small chip filled, otherwise fine condition. A great size and dating to circa 1690-1700.  SOLD

A charming, beautifully constructed Kangxi period Chinese scholar’s brush rest of openwork design and painted in classic Famille Verte yellow and green glazes on a biscuit body. Despite being a basically utilitarian piece, and a rather rare survivor, this lovely object was produced with the same attention to detail and quality as a larger decorative piece and would have been an essential item in a scholar’s studio as part of his writing equipage. Measuring  1 7/8″ x 2 1/4″ x 1 7/8″ and in good condition with not apparent restorations. Discussed in Luisa Vinhais’ and Jorge Welsh’s book Biscuit: Refined Chinese Famille Verte Wares, pages 120-123. Kangxi period, late 17th century.

A very elegant Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period covered jug, with a molded body of lotus petal-shaped panels decorated with ‘Long Elizas’ and images of potted flowering plants, the neck with exuberant lotus blossoms and leaves and the cover with a delicate branch of flowering peony, the brilliant white porcelain and cobalt blue decoration set off beautifully with gilt silver mounts connecting the handle and the cover.  Measuring 6″ tall x 5″ and in very good condition with the exception of a small restoration to the tip of the spout.  A lovely object with a rich tactile glaze. Kangxi period circa 1690.

A very finely made pair of Chinese export porcelain covered rice bowls and under dishes meticulously hand-painted in the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern and highlighted with gilt enamel, each piece unusually signed with a six-figure Chinese mark within a square.  The rendering of this elaborate pattern is of the highest order and the condition of these pieces is very good with only the most minimal of wear and no apparent restoration. The saucer under dish measuring 5 3/4″ in diameter, the bowl 2 1/2″ in diameter and 4″ tall.  Circa 1810-20.

A very impressive piece of Chinese export porcelain, this large pistol-handled chocolate pot is a spectacular tour-de-force of decoration, hand-painted with two very elegant Mandarin scenes within oval reserves as well as smaller fan-shaped floral vignettes all against a dazzling gilt latticework ground.  Almost certainly from a bespoke service, this was some of highest quality porcelain one could order from Canton during this period – this group of gold ground wares frequently referred to as Palaceware, for obvious reasons. This is a large size and a rare form measuring 9 1/2″ tall by 9″ handle to spout. There is a small restored chip to the rim of the cover and a small area of rub to the shoulder of the piece, otherwise, remarkably, the handle and spout seem intact and the scenes and latticework as fresh as they were when they were painted. Circa 1795.

From our collection of Chinese export porcelain made for American Market we are pleased to offer these very finely painted 8″ luncheon plates in the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern, each with a central rounder with the initial  H from a bespoke service made for U.S. Naval Captain John Dandridge Henley (1781-1835) who served both in the Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was born in Williamsburg, Virginia and was a nephew of Martha Washington. One with the slightest spot of stacking wear, otherwise superb condition and a great example of from our early republic’s naval history with founding of Norfork, Virginia, Naval Base.  Circa 1820.    $1150.ea

A beautifully decorated pair of Chinese export porcelain mugs finely hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels and gilding with courtly Mandarin terrace scenes, along with landscape and bird vignettes amongst scrolling floral vines. It is important to note the detail of these pieces as the scenes are rendered within raised cartouches and the floral designs are in relief as well, all against a very finely scrolling gilded ground. Quality of this level is an immediate precedent to the well-known Palaceware and Rockefeller patterns which appear in the decade following the production of these mugs.  Measuring 5″ tall and in very good condition.  Circa 1785. pr.

A very desirable Chinese export porcelain covered pot-de-creme finely hand-painted in the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern, made for the American Market and specifically Gabriel Henry Manigault (1789-1834) of Charleston, South Carolina. Gabriel’s younger brother, Charles Izard Manigault, traveled to Canton and the Far East between 1817 and 1823 and it was during this time that he ordered two services – one for his brother and one for himself.  Gabriel’s service, seen here, bears his initials within a belted roundel with a Latin motto that translates to “It is better to anticipate than avenge” which is surmounted by an Native American crest.  There are several American market services ordered for prominent families in this Sepia Fitzhugh pattern around this 1820 period, and all bear this spectacular level of quality of painting.  Many bespoke services were for families in the New England and mid-Atlantic states; this is one of the far rarer examples with a specific Southern connection.  Illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, pages 56, 61. Measuring 3 1/4″ tall x 3 1/2″ wide and in very good condition.

A very charming Chinese porcelain yellow-glazed scholar’s brush washer or water pot with a finely modeled brown-glazed dragon writhing along one side. Even in its simplicity of design, the piece is well-molded and detailed, and would have adorned a scholar’s writing table as one of the accoutrements of the intelligentsia. Water pots or brush washers for the scholar’s use tend to be of round form; this one of square form is somewhat unusual, and, in remarkably good condition. Measuring 2″ high by approx. 2 1/4″ square. Kangxi period, late 17th century.

Truly one of the finest examples of Sepia Fitzhugh we’ve had, this pair of meticulously hand-painted pudding dishes is even more remarkable for their American  connection as they are from a service made for Captain John Dandridge Henley (1781-1835) an officer in the United States Navy who served with distinction in the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was born in Williamsburg, Virginia and was a nephew of Martha Washington’s, hence his appointment as a midshipman by President (and Uncle) George Washington in 1799. Centering this beautiful rendition of the Sepia Fitzhugh pattern is a central medallion with the monogram H.  With only the slightest of stacking wear, otherwise fantastic condition.  Measuring 8″ in diameter and dating to circa 1820.

A fine example of a 19th century Chinese export porcelain dinner service made for the American Market with a Presidential association as it is known that a large fish service was ordered for President and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant comprising fish-decorated dinner plates and platters.  The service was hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with an elaborate floral and butterfly Rose Canton style border, each plate centered an image of large fish with luminous scales in blues, greens and turquoise. Described and illustrated in New York and the China Trade, page 134, and examples of the service are in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum.  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter with only very minor stacking wear and rim roughness otherwise very good condition.  Circa 1879.

A really beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain Famille Rose-decorated reticulated saucer dishes, each centered with a classic design of exotic birds amongst blossoming peony and rockwork, all within a reticulated border painted in a mottled design (perhaps in imitation of tortoiseshell?) All together very elegantly designed typical of the refinement of the mid-18th century. Measuring 8 3/4″ in diameter and one in very good condition, the second with a bit of the rim and reticulation nicely restored. Mid-18th century.

A very beautiful version of the American eagle on Chinese export porcelain, these superb American market saucers are centered with finely hand painted sepia eagles taken from the seal of the state of Rhode Island, each noble bird with a halo of golden stars is clutching a banner in its beak inscribed “In God We Hope” and supports a shield with an anchor (also a symbol of Hope) as well as the trumpet of Fame. Very good condition with only the slightest of wear, measuring 5″ in diameter and dating to circa 1800-1810.  These objects are great examples of the pride and confidence of our early republic.