A Chinese export porcelain soup plate hand-painted in the classic FitzHugh pattern in a rare yellow enamel.  This popular pattern went through a range of colors from the late 18th century into the 19th century and among the various versions yellow is among the rarest, most likely because it is one of the most difficult (and therefore expensive) colors to fire successfully in the kiln.  It has also special meaning to the Chinese who associate it with the emperor. That all said, it is just a vibrantly attractive object!  This example measures 9″ in diameter and has an L-shaped line that runs across the rim into the cavetto and across the base to the foot rim, as well as a second line to the rim and partially into the cavetto, and two very short rim lines – all professionally sealed. 1st half of the 19th century.