A very refined pair of Chinese export porcelain soup plates, decorated in famille rose enamels with central scenes of a pair of quails beneath branches of peony, chrysanthemum, prunus and bamboo, the cavetto encircled with a yellow spearhead border, and the rim delicately hand-painted with bianco-sopra-bianco branches of flowers and bamboo, the outer edge with a band of famille rose enamel floral motifs. The quail is a symbol of strength. Measuring 9″ in diameter, nd in very good condition. Yongzheng period, circa 1730-1735.