Chinese Export Porcelain plate produced at the renowned kilns of Jingdezhen during the Qianlong period (1736–1795), under the Qing Dynasty, most likely between 1760 and 1775. The plate was made for the European market and intended for export through the established trade routes connecting China with the principal Western markets. The floral decoration, entirely hand-painted in underglaze cobalt blue, features a naturalistic composition of classical character, depicting pierced ornamental rocks, known in Chinese tradition as “scholar’s rocks,” flowering peonies, and bamboo. In traditional Chinese culture and ceramic art, the peony (Mudan) is regarded as the “Queen of Flowers” and is one of the most important symbols of wealth, nobility, and prosperity, as well as honor, social prestige, good fortune, and the renewal of spring. The rim is richly decorated with alternating reserves containing flowering branches and geometric motifs, while the outer edge is finished in a warm brown “café-au-lait” tone. This type of border treatment, often used to help protect the porcelain edge from chipping, is characteristic of numerous Chinese porcelain wares produced for the European market. With a diameter of 23 cm (approximately 9 in), the plate corresponds to a typical size for flat tableware produced for the European market as part of the Chinese Export Porcelain trade of the 18th century. Its format was suited to Western dining customs and table settings of the period. The absence of a mark on the underside is entirely consistent with the nature of the piece. Numerous Chinese porcelain wares made for the European trade during the 18th century were left unmarked. Imperial marks were primarily associated with wares produced for the imperial court, official commissions, and imperial supplies, while a significant portion of the commercial production made at the Jingdezhen kilns for international markets remained unmarked. The absence of an identifying mark on the underside therefore does not, in itself, contradict the attribution or dating of the piece. Several formal and technical characteristics are consistent with an 18th-century production, including the subtly shaped rim, the tone of the cobalt blue, the floral decorative vocabulary, and the form of the foot, all features frequently encountered in Chinese Export Porcelain of this period. The plate is attributable to the Jingdezhen kilns in Jiangxi Province, a historic center of major importance for Chinese porcelain production and, from the 14th century onward, one of the world's foremost centers of porcelain manufacture. The local kilns produced wares both for the domestic market and on commission for Chinese merchants engaged in the flourishing international trade. The East India Companies played a fundamental role in distributing these goods to Europe. They generally did not operate their own porcelain manufactories in Jingdezhen, but instead functioned as major commercial intermediaries, purchasing and transporting large quantities of Asian goods to the West, particularly tea, silk, and porcelain. Among the principal companies involved in trade with China were the British East India Company, founded in 1600; the VOC (Dutch East India Company), founded in 1602; the French East India Company (Compagnie française des Indes); the Danish East India Company; and the Swedish East India Company. The commercial route followed by porcelain destined for Europe generally involved the transfer of wares from the Jingdezhen kilns to Chinese merchants and subsequently to the port of Canton (Guangzhou), one of the principal centers of international trade with the West. From there, the cargoes were transported by European trading companies to their respective markets. In the absence of specific provenance documentation, it is not possible to determine with certainty through which East India Company this particular plate was imported into Europe. Its type and decoration, however, are fully consistent with the commercial system that, during the 18th century, facilitated the widespread distribution of Jingdezhen porcelain among European courts, aristocratic families, and collectors. The plate is in good condition, considering its age and the nature of the object. An old period repair is visible to a hairline crack along the upper rim, together with several additional repairs and restorations to the decoration, all clearly shown in the photographs. The porcelain surface retains its characteristic tactile quality and exhibits minor irregularities attributable to the traditional processes of forming, decorating, and firing employed in 18th-century production. Small inclusions and minute traces of iron oxidation are also visible, consistent with the composition of the raw materials used in the ceramic production process. These features, which have developed and become more pronounced over the centuries, are part of the natural aging of an antique porcelain surface and contribute to its historic patina, material character, and overall appeal. Measurements: diameter 23 cm (9 in); height 3 cm (1.18 in).
.png)
SILVER Seller in Prato, Italy
