A VERY RARE PAIR OF ENAMELLED GOLD-GROUND DISHES
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
A VERY RARE PAIR OF ENAMELLED GOLD-GROUND DISHES

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A VERY RARE PAIR OF ENAMELLED GOLD-GROUND DISHES
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Each dish is centred with a stylised floral medallion radiating five sets of petals embellished with ruyi, pineapples and feathery scrolls, all to form a five-pointed star, interspersed amidst further arabesques, enamelled in tones of blue, green, aubergine, white and iron-red, the exterior with an iron-red-shaded lotus scroll and the base with a floral medallion, all against a rich gold ground
5 1/2 in. (14 cm.) diam., box (2)
Provenance
J. M. Hu

Lot Essay

No other dish of this design appears to be published.

Gilt decoration was used very sparingly in the 18th century and largely enhanced designs in famille verte, famille rose and simulated enamel porcelain vessels. Cf. a large yenyen vase in the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 15, Japan, 1976, no. 3, where whole lotus blossoms are gilt decorated. Two other Qianlong-marked examples are illustrated ibid., no. 115 from the Baur Collection, and no. 116 from the Palace Museum, both decorated in famille rose imitating painted enamel wares where the enhancement produces the effect of gilt bronze.

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