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Large Chinese Export Platter from the Van Cortlandt Service, c. 1770

Offered by: Robert Morrissey Antiques & Fine Art

Description
Large Chinese Export porcelain platter from the Van Cortlandt Service, the central scene of a woman sitting on a bench as a page approaches with a bird on a pillow within a fanciful walled garden with blooming trees and a large pink and yellow passionflower; the elaborate border painted in underglaze blue and overglaze famille rose enamels.

This gorgeous, meticulously decorated service stands as a tour de force of the porcelain art. The underglaze blue painting, the overglaze polychrome painting and fine gilding around the border each represent a discrete stage in the manufacturing process. Note, for instance, the four cartouches at the corners, where the shape is outlined in underglaze blue, then filled with orange (rouge de fer) and painted with flowers and finally gilded. Daniel Nadler cites this service as "pointing to integrated production at the Jingdezhen source." He further notes the large passion flower soon developed into a key motif in the famous 'tobacco leaf' pattern. [1]

Pieces from this service have been in the Van Cortlandt House in Bronx, New York, since colonial times. David S. Howard muses, "Great figures frequented the house and may have used the service. In 1781 alone, visitors included George Washington, Rochambeau, and the Duke of Clarence, later William IV of England." [2]

[1]
Daniel Nadler, China to Order : Focusing on the XIXth Century and Surveying Polychrome Export Porcelain Produced during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1908) (Vilo International, 2001), 70-71.

[2]
David Sanctuary Howard, et al, New York and the China Trade (New-York Historical Society, 1984), 70.

More Information

Origin:	China
Period:	18th Century
Materials:	Porcelain
Condition:	Good. Excellent condition with no chips, cracks or repairs.
Creation Date:	1770
Styles / Movements:	Chinese Export, Rococo, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental
Dealer Reference #:	5053983
Incollect Reference #:	840919

Dimensions

W.	18 in;	H.	15.25 in;
W.	45.72 cm;	H.	38.74 cm;

Message from Seller:

Robert Morrissey Antiques & Fine Art, established in 1948, specializes in period European furniture, modern design, and an extensive selection of paintings and sculpture. Contact us at 314.644.7066 or robert@robertmorrissey.com to explore our curated collection.