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Stunning Antique Chinese Porcelain Export Dish browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Ceramics: Chinese Export: Pre 1800: item # 1106134 Please refer to our stock # 2342 when inquiring.
EastWest Gallery 860 Halekauwila Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Guest Book SOLD |
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| Stunning Antique Chinese Porcelain Export Dish for American Market, 18th C. Pattern associated with important Philadelphia family An exquisite bread-and-butter plate finely painted in sepia and gilt from a dinner service made for the American market. Central pattern depicts an idyllic riverside scene with men in Western attire fishing from the bank while cattle graze in foreground; waterfowl and a boat glide on the water. An arched bridge, weeping willow and large house on the far shore. The scene is contained in fine double lines of sepia and gilt. The alternately scalloped and barbed rim is graced with a sepia and gilt diaper patterned band edged with a gilt spear point border. The reverse is undecorated, with some kiln grit adhered to the narrow foot rim. The detail and quality of the painting is some of the finest I've ever seen on Chinese export porcelain - between each strand of the weeping willow's trailing branches, there is a corresponding stroke of gilt that makes the tree seem to shimmer with movement. The stands of trees at the right and left of the scene are beautifully highlighted with individual strokes of gilt among the tiny sepia leaves as well. The skillful shading of the cattle and landscape further speaks to the talent that Chinese artisans applied when reproducing illustrated prints of engravings sent to them by Western clients. This service is illustrated in Herbert Schiffer's book "China for America," and is described as "associated with the Bache family of Lemon Hill, Philadelphia." The Bache family would be that of Sarah Franklin Bache (1743-1808) – the only daughter of Benjamin Franklin. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sarah married merchant Richard Bache in 1767, raising four sons and four daughters in that city while also serving as political hostess for her father while he worked in both France and England, as well as when he returned to Philadelphia (caring for him in his old age), maintaining a voluminous correspondence with him and with many key people of the era. For many years she lived in the Fairmount Park area, where Lemon Hill was one of the original estates. While it's possible the service was acquired earlier by Benjamin Franklin and left to her in his will (he left his estate to Sarah), it's more likely that this was a special order placed from Philadelphia by the wealthy Bache family, and was based on drawings of local scenes. Perhaps representing The Cliffs, where Sarah often visited and where she—along with her sewing group from the Ladies Association of Philadelphia—supervised and helped in the making of bandages and shirts for the soldiers in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The pattern could also depict a view of the farm outside of Philadelphia on the Delaware River, where Sarah and her family moved in 1794. Qing Dynasty, Late Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Diameter: 6-1/8" (15.5 cm) Condition: Excellent condition with no chips, cracks or repairs. Plate "rings" clearly when tapped. | ||
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