Six grisaille and gilt 'European-subject' plates, Qianlong
Six grisaille and gilt 'European-subject' plates, Qianlong
Each dish finely painted en grisaille with details heightened in gilt, the rims with a Viennese (Du Pacquier-style) border enclosing a central depiction of a scene from the life of Christ, two depicting the Nativity, two depicting the Crucifixion and two depicting the Resurrection. 23.1cm (9in) diam. (6). Sold for £5,400
Provenance: Marquis and Marquise Piero Massoni-Errera, and thence by descent
Purchased by the Errera family who were diplomats in Asia, circa 1850
Note: Sets of plates and tea services depicting scenes from the life of Christ were particularly popular in Europe between 1745-1750. The current three scenes are copies of prints made by the Amsterdam poet and engraver Jan Luyken (1649-1712).
Numerous related examples in museums and private collections are known. A Nativity dish bearing the same Du Pacquier border as the present examples, from the Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva collection is illustrated in Porcelanas da China, Lisbon, 2000, p.46, Catalogue no.28. Compare a Resurrection dish in the Musée Guimet, Paris, illustrated by M.Beurdeley, Porcelains of the East India Companies, London, 1962, Catalogue no.228.
Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com