A rare Meissen plate. Circa 1730.

decorated after the Chinese example with a miniature pine-tree jardinière with sprays of lingzhi fungus, emblems of eternity, 22cm, crossed swords in underglaze-blue, (small flat chip to rim, some rubbing to gilding on rim). Sold for £3,600

Footnote: A similar plate with this rare pattern is in the Arnhold Collection, see Cassidy-Geiger 2008 p. 522f. where the author also shows the Chinese original. Another plate with the same design from the Estate of the late Andreina Torre was sold at Christie's Geneva, November 16 1992, lot 166.

Bonhams. Fine European Ceramics, 3 Dec 2008. New Bond Street. Copyright © 2002-2008 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved. www.bonhams.com