A striking blue and white Chinese export porcelain plate centered with an image of flowers and insects after an engraving by Dutch artist Sybille Merian and surrounded with a rich interlaced European style border. Merian was a accomplished woman artist who traveled to Surinam in the late 17th century and rendered studies of the exotic flowers and insects which were later published after her return.  Along with Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk, she is another rare instance of being able to trace decorations on Chines export porcelain back to a specific known European design source. Measuring 9″ in diameter and in good condition. Circa 1740.