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.