Pair of Powder Blue Plates, China, Kangxi period (1662 – 1722), circa 1700. Photo courtesy Vanderven Oriental Art.

Diameter:41 cm. Price on request

Provenance: Private Collection- The Netherlands
J.T. Tai Collection - USA

These powder blue plates have a large scalloped reservesin the centre with riverscapes in famille verte enamels. On the banks of the waterside, various pavilions emerge from between the rocks and trees. In the foreground is a bridge, and there is a small boat floating in the water. 
The scene is nocturnal, which you can see by the golden moon in the sky also reflected in the water. In one of the plates a meditating man in a hut suggests tranquillity at night, while a group of flying wild geese and colourful swimming fish add some life to the picture. 

Surrounding the central panel is a powder blue background with gilded lotus and vine patterns. The smaller white reserves on the rim are decorated with flowering plants interspersed with painted cartouches in gold on the powder blue ground, also decorated with various flowering plants. 

Such sumptuously decorated dishes with Chinese designs were very popular in Europe in the 18th century. They are known in several variations, some with figurative scenes or flower baskets. A similar combination of powder blue and famille verte can be found on plates in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) and the Topkapi Saray Museum (Istanbul). 

Literature: - Christiaan J.A. Jörg & Jan van Campen, Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Amsterdam / London 199, pl.158 
- Christiaan J.A. Jörg, Famille Verte. Chinese Porcelain in Green Enamels, Exhitibiton Groninger Museum, 2011, pl. 101 & 102 
- Regina Krahl, R. & John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul; A complete catalogue, part III: Qing Dynasty Porcelains. London, 1986, pl. 3249 pl. 3248 & 3249 

Vanderven Oriental Art. Nachtegaalslaantje 1, 5211 LE s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands