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.

A great early Chinese export porcelain rectangular platter of octagonal form made for the American market and decorated en grisaille from a service made for Samuel Vaughan and Sarah Hallowell of Boston. The central decoration is based upon a rococo style armorial bookplate designed for Vaughan, and the rim contains vignettes of landscapes and birds upon flowering branches. The grisaille on the interior arms strengthened; rim reserves with somewear.  One of two we have at present (see # 4713).  . 9 1/2″ x 13 1/4″.  Circa 1747. Illustrated in Schiffer’s China for America page 34.

Meticulously decorated sepia Fitzhugh saucers made for the Philadelphia market centered with a roundel inscribed with the gilded monogram , JLM, James Large Mifflin.  He was  the nephew of Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvannia.

A fine example of this well-known Chinese export porcelain made for the English Market, bearing the Arms of Mertins impaling Peck, and finely rendered in early, Yongzheng period, famille rose enamels. Sir George Mertins was a Sheriff of Essex in 1705 and a Lord Mayor of London in 1725.  His son, John Henry Mertins married one Elizabeth Peck in 1717 and it is most likely for that union that this service was ordered. The flamboyant armorial is centered within a gilded and iron red cell-work border with reserves of Daoist emblems; the outer rim border with meandering flowering vines and peony blossoms. Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, and in very fine condition with the exception of a star line to the glaze on the reverse.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 213. Circa 1725.

This is a truly rare find indeed for those who are interested in both Chinese export porcelain and early American history as these teawares are from a service ordered by Thomas Mifflin (1744-1800) of Philadelphia. He was an aide-de-camp to George Washington, later promoted to General in the Continental Army (which got him kicked out of the Quaker church), he was also a signer of the U. S. Constitution, and the first Governor of Pennsylvania. He and his wife are elegantly depicted in a double portrait by John Singleton Copley which now hangs in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And like most Founding Fathers he ordered an elegant Chinese export teaset; this one with the refined and restrained aesthetic so typical of the Federal period of our new republic with an overglaze blue and dotted border centered with a cartouche inscribed with an “M” surmounted by a dove with an olive branch. (Once a Quaker, always a Quaker!)  7 1/4″ plates and teabowls and saucers available. Excellent condition. Circa 1785-1790.

We are very fortunate to have a pair of fine Chinese export famille rose figural candleholders, modeled after elegant court ladies holding a pair of vases. Each elegantly coiffed and arrayed in flowing robes tied with purple ribbons and decorated with roundels and sprigs of flowers, everywhere hightlighted with gilded detail. Each measuring 16 1/4″ tall. One with restored fingers and vase. Exceptional quality of decoration, and to have a pair! Truly rare survivors. Late 18th century.

A completely charming porcelain menagerie of Japanese Hirado water dropper animal figures, very well-sculpted and detailed, most likely representing animals of the Zodiac. This collection comprising a boar, a snake, a horse, an ox, a rabbit, a tiger, a dog, and a dragon. Very minute frits to a couple of the creatures, otherwise all in great condition. Meiji period, late 19th century.

A especially fine rendition of a Chinese export armorial service special ordered for the English Market, this wonderful soup plate has an exuberantly painted full Arms of Pigot centering the design, surrounded with a gilded diaperwork cavetto and spearhead- bordered rim. The service was made for George Pigot of Patshull, Staffordshire, who became Governor of Fort St. George, Madras from 1755-63 and again in 1775-77 where he died under mysterious “confined” circumstances. He was created a baronet in 1764. 9″ in diameter.  Excellent condition.  Illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 251.

Another fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the Western market with specific European decoration, this charming teabowl and saucer is finely rendered with scenes of “Romantic Conversation”, most likely from prints after the French artist Pater. Measuring 4 1/2″ in diameter (saucer) and 2 1/2″ diameter (teabowl) and dating to circa 1750, it is pictured in Hervouet, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a Decors Occidentale, page 170.

An extremely rare and very fine Chinese export porcelain Yongzheng period desk set, exquisitely decorated with famille rose enamels depicting exotic birds amongst flowering branches and Mandarin scenes, as well as landscape vignettes in puce and en grisaille and borders of highly detailed gilded floral scrollwork. Comprising a covered pen box, pair of square inkwells and a candleholder.  Measuring approximately 8″ wide, 4″ deep and 3″ tall. Candleholder restored as well as the top of one inkwell, otherwise superb decoration and amazingly complete, a vestige of when letter writing was an art form.  Circa 1735.

Imari Butterfly Dish

An unusual Imari dish in the form of a butterfly. Japanese, late 19th Century. Excellent condition.

#3612

A very fine example of the chinese export FitzHugh pattern in one of the rarest and most desirable of colors! Richly painted in raspberry enamel and gilded this 8″ plate is in excellent condition and dates to the last quarter of the 18th Century.

#3677

Armorial Plate Bearing the Arms of Holborne

This rare armorial bears images of Portsmouth on one side and the Pearl river on the other. In between these two is what was then called Madras. $2,850.

#3644

Underglaze blue with over glaze red and gilding – Meiji – 6″ in diameter.

#3642

The sophisticated palette of famille rose enamels against a soft turquoise ground is played out with this fine depiction of exotic birds amongst branches of flowering prunes. Early 19th Century. 16″ tall.

#3996

Bronze Glazed Vase

This early 20th century Chinese porcelain vase has a strikingly contemporary feel with its elongated silhouette and sophisticated glaze resembling a rich brown bronze patination. 19″ tall.

#3995

Large Copper Red Vase as Lamp

This striking mid-Qing lamp has been mounted by Blanchfields with a custom base and shade. With shade it measures 27-1/4 inches tall. The vase measures 14″ tall and 11″ inches wide.

#3993

Covered Sugar Made for the Persian Market

C. 1795, from Mottahedeh Collection – see pg. 479 in “China for the West”.

#3220

Covered Sugar Made for the Persian Market

C. 1795, from Mottahedeh Collection – See pg. 479 in “China for the West”.

A very interesting and rare survivor of the Dutch East India  Company’s involvement with the Japanese export trade.  Due to civil unrest in China during the 17th century, the kilns were shut down and the insatiable European demand for porcelain led to Dutch to trade with Japan to fill that need. Here we have a Japanese Arita tankard, made to imitate Chinese export porcelain, but with distinctly Japanese decorative motifs, all on a form that is decidedly European, based on Dutch and German stonewares of the period, all capped with a European pewter mount.  An amazing cross-cultural hybrid! Measuring 11″ tall to the thumb rest, and in good condition with the exception of restoration to the handle.  Circa 1680.

Arita Charger

A fine and early Japanese Arita Charger decorated in underglaze blue with a basket of flowers with in a meandering vine border. 16″ in diameter, excellent condition circa 1680.

#3988

Fitzhugh Platter

from the service made for Edward and Ann Renshaw Thomson with initials EAT a leading merchant in the Philadelphia China Trade. See Philadelphia and the China Trade pg. 152

#3689

American Market Part Dinner Service

A very fine example of Chinese Export porcelain made for the American Market, this part service decorated in overglaze blue and gilding bearing a swagged shield with the initials ‘JMW’ for James Watson (1750-1806). A Yale graduate, a second Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, Watson went on to become a very wealthy New York merchant and Senator. Examples of this service reside at the New York Historical Society. Butter tub and saucer tureen available. Very good condition; pieces priced individually. Circa 1800.

#3889

Pair of Spooner Family Soup Plates

From a service made for Capt. Daniel Nicholson Spooner (June 18,1819 – August 28), a partner in the extremely successful China rading concern of Russell and Company in Boston between 1843-1845 and 1852-1857. The Spooner family has new England roots that date back to the 17th century; the Spooner house still stands in Plymouth, MA and is part of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society.

#4074

6.25″ tall

Lot of Reticulated Rouge de Fer

Chinese porcelain finely decorated in england after a pattern found on Japanese Imari wares and later used by Derby. Originally an armorial service made for Graham and then over painted in England – “Chinese Armorial Porcelain”: Pg. 666. For further discussion see “Ling Long” By Welsh.

#2350

A great form! Beautifully elongated Chinese export fish serving dish with its original mazzarene  decorated in the “Bird and Butterfly” pattern with gilded highlights. Late 19th century very good condition, 19″ x 10″.

A fine Yongzheng Cup and Saucer. Well-enameled on the finest quality of eggshell porcelain.

#3964

12-1/4″ Famille Rose Charger from service similar to John Quincy Adams(page 107 Schiffer s China for America).

#3136

Japanese Shi Shi Incense burner – very finely rendered shi shi carved from wood in a striking rustic style. It is very lifelike and mounted on a wood and brass base suitable for burning incense.

#4132