This is a pair of plates with exceptional visual impact and historical importance. It is a highly sought-after type of Chinese export porcelain, produced during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty.
Technical and Descriptive Sheet
* Type: Pair of large circular “Chinese Imari” porcelain plates.
* Period: Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period (circa 1700-1720).
* Diameter: 36 cm (a size considered “parade” or display).
* Technique: Underglaze decoration in cobalt blue and overglaze decoration in iron red and pure gold.
Stylistic and Decorative Analysis
The decoration is executed in the Imari style, a color palette originally Japanese that the Chinese potters of Jingdezhen adopted with great mastery to meet the demand of the 18th-century European market.
* The Cavetto (Center): Features a rich floral motif with peonies and chrysanthemums emerging from a complex lattice fence, a typical element of the classic Chinese garden. The use of gold to finish the petals and architectural details lends an extraordinary brilliance.
* The Rim (Edge): The rim is decorated with a rhythmic alternation of four shaped reserves. Two reserves contain finely enameled river landscapes with pagodas, mountains, and small boats; the other two feature floral compositions and pomegranates (a symbol of fertility and abundance).
* The Base: The cobalt blue is deep and vibrant, indicative of excellent pigment quality, while the iron red is applied with precision in the shades of leaves and flowers.
* The Reverse: The back of the plates shows flowering branches painted rapidly in red and blue. In the center of the foot is an Artemisia leaf mark enclosed in a double blue circle (a propitious symbol typical of the Kangxi period, used in place of imperial marks).
Condition and Rarity
* Rarity: Finding a perfectly matched pair of this size (36 cm) is extremely rare. Most surviving plates from this period have standard diameters (22-24 cm); large serving plates were expensive to produce and difficult to transport undamaged.
* Market Value: Pieces of this size and decorative quality are destined for high-level collecting.
* Condition: Almost perfect, only one hairline crack present on one of the two. No chips, breaks, or restorations.
Conclusion
This pair represents the pinnacle of production for export to European courts. The balance between narrative landscapes and floral decoration, combined with the prestigious size, makes them museum-quality pieces.
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