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Lot Essay
This apparently unique plate must have been decorated to order after a pair of golfing prints celebrating the game that, by the later 18th century, was well-established in Scotland, land of its origin. In 1744 the Company of Gentlemen Golfers, later known as The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, wrote "Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf" and in the following decades the 18-hole course was established and other golfing societies and clubs sprang up. Most golfing remained centered in Scotland until later in the 19th century, though interest began to spread. In America in 1796 a Savannah golf club published their annual meeting notice in the Georgia Gazette.
The only other Chinese porcelains known with golfing decoration are two punchbowls showing a single player, one illustrated by Hervouët & Bruneau (ibid) and the other sold Christie's, New York, 21 January 2009, lot 88 (damaged).
Scotland had a strong trading relationship with China, creating fortunes for individuals like William Jardine, James Matheson and James Drummond, and was certainly the source of many elite Chinese export orders - this plate likely among them.
The only other Chinese porcelains known with golfing decoration are two punchbowls showing a single player, one illustrated by Hervouët & Bruneau (ibid) and the other sold Christie's, New York, 21 January 2009, lot 88 (damaged).
Scotland had a strong trading relationship with China, creating fortunes for individuals like William Jardine, James Matheson and James Drummond, and was certainly the source of many elite Chinese export orders - this plate likely among them.