A great example of Chinese export eagle decorated ware for the American market, this vibrant Orange Fitzhugh-patterned  7 3/4″ plate is centered with a fine rendition of the American eagle based upon the Great Seal of the United States, supporting a striped shield, clutching the olive branch of peace and the arrows of war, the “E PLURIBUS UNUM” banner in his beak. Very good condition. Circa 1800-1810.

Some extraordinary quality is exhibited here in this fine example of a Chinese export porcelain 10″ dinner plate, decorated in famille rose enamels in the Palaceware pattern with a central scene depicting an image from The Tale of the Calligrapher and the Goose all within a richly gilded latticework border with sepia landscape reserves. Superb quality from the end of the 18th century, circa 1795.

We have always been especially interested in this period of Chinese export, and always try to acquire great examples when we can as it was a time of simply masterful potting and painting; here is such an outstanding example. This Yongzheng period eggshell porcelain tea bowl and saucer are meticulously rendered in a pattern we’ve not seen before, the tea bowl with a tiny “Y” diaperwork border edged with the flowing contours of a gilded dragon, above lovely continuous landscape of a bucolic river scene leading up to the walls of a garden of a great house, the saucer similarly painted with small boats making their way to the walled compound, fantastical rockwork in the background, all edged with the same whimsical dragon border.  The tea bowl interior edged in pink diaperwork is centered at the bottom with a barren tree. A work of art to fit in the palm of your hand; tea bowl 2 5/8″ in diameter, the saucer 4 1/4″. Excellent condition. Circa 1730.

A very fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for our early republic, this classic part teaset comprising a strap-handled drum teapot and four tea bowls and saucers is crisply painted, each piece centered with a three-masted ship flying two American flags. A fantastic set for any American market or early maritime collection!  The drum teapot measuring 5 1/2″ x 8 3/4″ and in excellent condition, the tea bowls, 3 1/2″ in diameter , and the saucers, 5 5/8″ in diameter, in good condition with minor restorations. Circa 1800. Pieces priced individually.

Completely charming both in form and decoration, this very fine Chinese export porcelain famille rose 6 1/8″ saucer dish is wonderfully decorated with a central scene after designs by Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk within a border of reserves of fruits, flowers and insects, against a lattice ground, alternating with rococo shells. A lovely example of East meets West, as imagined by a European artist and rendered by a Chinese potter. Very good condition.  Circa 1745.  For another example of this design in blue and white, please see our Item # 4674.

Exhibiting the beautiful cobalt blue decoration of the period, this fine Kangxi period,shaped charger is very well painted with a central image of  a basket of flowers within a ruyi-bordered roundel, the cavetto is painted with flowering branches and the border virtually swirls with chrysanthemum, lotus, peony and prunus. This highly decorative piece measures 14″ in diameter and is in very good condition with the exception of minor rim fritting and slight crazing to the glaze commensurate with age. Circa 1690.

An exceptionally rare example of Chinese export porcelain ordered for one of the famous and centuries-old London livery companies, this 11 1/2″ punch bowl is finely emblazoned with the Arms of the Worshipful Company of Bakers, which was granted to this organization in 1590. The richly ornate arms on the front and back alternates with a scenic roundel of a Mandarin and boy walking in a landscape, while a floral bouquet centers the interior. Porcelain bearing the arms of these companies was not as extensively ordered as, say, dinner services for noble or wealthy households, thus their rarity. A fascinating emblem of the wealth and importance that these guilds possessed in 18th century London. Exceptional condition.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 336. Circa 1755.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period famille rose armorial charger of impressive size, made for the Dutch market and bearing the central arms of Tuineman. Most likely ordered by Daniel Tuineman the younger who was in China circa 1732-1733. The arms contain an image of a semi-dressed savage (perhaps a gladiator?) with a pointed shield and spear standing in a fenced enclosure, the same figure used above as the crest. Measuring 15 1/2″ in diameter. Condition: minor rim line, reverse rim chip, and minor wear to grisaille diapering, but excellent enameled imagery and gilding. And, better yet, ONE OF A PAIR! Discussed and illustrated in Kroes’ Chinese Armorial Porcelain for the Dutch Market, page 151.

It is not often that we are able to find Kangxi period vases of such impressive size and quality.  Measuring 21″ tall these baluster form covered vases are beautifully potted and painted, with a rich, buttery glaze and an intense cobalt blue that exemplifies the best porcelain of this golden age of blue and white. The bodies are decorated with panels, resembling lotus petals, with classic images of birds amongst flowering branches issuing from rockwork, the barbed rim covers with further petal-shaped panels filled with more flowering branches, all topped with lotus bud knops. These are just the type of fine objects that fired the craze for Chinese porcelains from Het Loo to Kensington Palace. Condition: once drilled for lamps, now filled, otherwise superlative quality! Circa 1690.

Although examples of the Blue Fitzhugh pattern are numerous, this is an extremely unusual form for this, or any other of the Fitzhugh color palettes.  These scalloped-form dishes measure 9 1/2″ x 6 3/4″, are in excellent condition and date to the early 19th century. Striking deep blue color and a very pleasing form!

Available after April 25th.

A superb example of Chinese export special-order porcelain made for the Dutch Market, this famille rose plate is centered with the Arms of Holland depicting a central shield with a rampant lion holding a sword and a sheaf of seven arrows for the seven provinces of the Netherlands, crowned and supported by a pair of lions above a foliate cartouche monogramed VOC for the Dutch East India Company, the rim inscribed in iron red with the Dutch Republic’s motto: CONCORDIA RESPARAVAE CRESCUNT, and the date 1728. In excellent condition and bearing both the Sotheby’s sale sticker from the famous 1985 sale, as well as the collection sticker from the Mottahedah Collection. 9 1/8″ in diameter.

Available after April 25th.

A beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period soup plates, decorated in underglaze blue and white with a central image of an exotic bird flying over a flowering peony, the cavetto painted with images of fish and crayfish in reserve against a diaperwork ground, and the rim alternates with images of flying birds, flowering branches and paddling ducks; perhaps imagery suggesting earth, sky and water?Measuring 8 1/2″ in diameter.  Small rim frits to one, the other with a very small V-shaped chip and associated line to the reverse and firing line to foot rim, but great color blue and rich glaze typical of this period. Circa 1730. $475.00 the pair.

Another fine example of Chinese export porcelain for the American market, representing, once again, the very active involvement of Philadelphia in the China Trade, in particular, the Thomson family.  This handsome Sepia Fitzhugh soup plate is from a service ordered by Richard Renshaw Thomson, and bears his initials. The son of prominent Philadelphia merchant Edward Thomson, Richard was in Canton acting as his father’s agent, and later became U.S. Consul to Canton from 1822-1824. He was replaced in that post by his younger brother, John Renshaw Thomson, an example of whose service we also have (see Item #4462). Measuring 10″ in diameter, and in excellent condition.  Circa 1820-24.

Available after April 25th.

A very nicely painted Chinese export porcelain handled coffee or chocolate cup made for the American market, featuring a ship with sails furled, flying two American flags. Great enamels, minor restoration to rim.  2 1/2″ tall.  Circa 1790-1800.

Blue Fitzhugh Cider Jug with strap handle, 9-1/2″. Chip to spout repainted.

#3456

Meticulously carved ivory netsuke.  Inlaid eyes.  Length 1 1/4″ x H: 1″. Japanese Meijii period.

Arms of Chambers Plate

Armorial plate bearing the arms of Chambers and a fantastic famille rose central ground.  9-1/2 inches.  Several available including soups.

#4236

Treasures of Chinese Export Ceramics at the Peabody Essex Museum By William Sargent

A long-awaited book surveying the extraordinary collection at the PEM of Chinese Export porcelain.  Former curator William Sargent carefully plots the history of many exceptional pieces.  A must have for every Asian Art collector.

#4020