Pair of 18th Century Chinese & Meissen Famille Verte Porcelain Plates

Chinese porcelain has always been the standard which European ceramicists revered and tried to emulate. This pair of plates demonstrates a clear desire by Meissen craftsmen to achieve the exquisite beauty of Kangxi-period famille verte porcelain. Though Chinese porcelain was historically considered to be the best, Meissen porcelain soon became respected in its own right as the European answer to hard-paste. Indeed, the lingzhi fungus depicted on these plates alludes to the impact of both Chinese and Meissen porcelain. As symbols of eternity and immortality in Chinese culture, the lingzhi speaks of the lasting influence that these two porcelain centers have had in the history of ceramics.

Condition:
-Chinese (left): Very good. Three minor rim chips, the largest measuring 0.2 cm. Scattered, minor firing imperfections throughout.
-Meissen (right): Good. Light gilding wear, mainly to rim. Wear to enamels, notably on the foot of the jardiniere.

Dimensions: 8 3/4 Dm x 1/2 in. H (22.2 cm Dm x 1.5 cm H)

Provenance:
Sotheby’s
Collection of Henry H. Arnhold
Angela Gräfin von Wallwitz, Munich

Literature:
Maureen Cassidy-Geiger, The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710-50, New York 2008, no. 248, pp. 522-523, illus.