Lot 138 A
138 A
A RARE FAMILLE ROSE 'SAMPLE' PLATE and two related 'day and night' cups and a saucer, the plate with a foliate rim, enamelled across the centre in brown resembling a stretched animal skin and embellished with gold spots within parallel braided bands, the rim with floral swags (minute rim chips), 23cm. diam.; the teabowls and saucer enamelled half in brown embellished with gold stars and half with delicate flowers (cracks and chips), all circa 1785 (2)

Details
A RARE FAMILLE ROSE 'SAMPLE' PLATE and two related 'day and night' cups and a saucer, the plate with a foliate rim, enamelled across the centre in brown resembling a stretched animal skin and embellished with gold spots within parallel braided bands, the rim with floral swags (minute rim chips), 23cm. diam.; the teabowls and saucer enamelled half in brown embellished with gold stars and half with delicate flowers (cracks and chips), all circa 1785 (2)

Lot Essay

A similar plate is illustrated by D.Howard and J.Ayers, China for the West, vol.II, p.550, no.567 and a plate en suite to the teabowls and saucer in idem., p.549, no.566

The inspiration for the striking designs remains something of an enigma. Sample purposes is a popular suggestion, although a play on the idea of night and day is also a possibility

More from Chinese

View All
View All