Platters
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1810
MediumMold-formed Chinese export porcelain with overglaze gilding and orange enamel
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width x depth of .12): 7 15/16 x 6 1/8in. (20.2 x 15.6cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .13): 10 1/8 x 7 3/8in. (25.7 x 18.7cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .14): 11 1/2 x 8 5/8in. (29.2 x 21.9cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .15): 12 5/8 x 9 1/2in. (32.1 x 24.1cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .16): 12 3/4 x 9 3/4in. (32.4 x 24.8cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .17): 14 x 10 7/8in. (35.6 x 27.6cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .18): 13 7/8 x 10 7/8in. (35.2 x 27.6cm)
Primary Dimensions (width x depth of .19): 14 3/8 x 11 1/8in. (36.5 x 28.3cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1396.12-.19
DescriptionGroup of eight oval, Chinese export porcelain platters with overglaze hand-painted orange enamel decoration in the Fitzhugh pattern. The Fitzhugh pattern consists of four to six groups of flowers and emblems, or geometric shapes, evenly spaced around a central circular medallion. This central medallion is a circular floral arrangement surrounded by a border consisting of a band of orange with darker lines creating a latticework, or diaper, pattern inside. At four points, this border is interrupted by an area of white with a small orange animal (possibly a dog). This is surrounded by a "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of lines that alternate between having an orange dot at either end or having an arrow pointing toward the central panel. The Fitzhugh pattern appears in the center of each platter, surrounded by an elaborate border composed of geometric shapes, insects and flowers on a field of orange enamel. There is a line of gilding at the outer edge of the rim of each platter. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots or lines in the surface of the ceramic.
Although each platter shares the same general description, there are some slight variations between some platters. Platter .12 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. This platter is deeper than the others. Platter .13 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. Platter .14 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. The enamel at one end of the rim is slightly worn. Platter .15 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. The enamel at one side of the rim is slightly worn. Platter .16 has four panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: the areas interrupting the border around the central circular flower consist of a white animal (possibly a dog) on a dark orange background. There is one small chip on the rim, and one extensive area of multiple chips which has now acquired dirt. A printed red and white label is adhered to this end of the platter. It reads, "DAMAGED/ The article to which this/ label is attached was in a/damaged condition prior/ to packing or handling." Platter .17 has six panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: there are six areas interrupting the border around the circular flower, instead of the usual four. The orange enamel on the border varies from dark to medium orange. There are smudges in the orange enamel at the rim; this probably occurred during manufacture. Platter .18 has six panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: there are six areas interrupting the border around the circular flower, instead of the usual four. The gilding at the edge of the rim is slightly worn, and the enamel has rubbed away on four areas of the rim. Platter .19 has four panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: the areas interrupting the border around the central circular flower consist of a white animal (possibly a dog) on a dark orange background. There is one chip in the rim, and the gilding at the outer edge of the rim is slightly worn.
Although each platter shares the same general description, there are some slight variations between some platters. Platter .12 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. This platter is deeper than the others. Platter .13 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. Platter .14 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. The enamel at one end of the rim is slightly worn. Platter .15 has four panels of flowers around the central circular medallion described above. The enamel at one side of the rim is slightly worn. Platter .16 has four panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: the areas interrupting the border around the central circular flower consist of a white animal (possibly a dog) on a dark orange background. There is one small chip on the rim, and one extensive area of multiple chips which has now acquired dirt. A printed red and white label is adhered to this end of the platter. It reads, "DAMAGED/ The article to which this/ label is attached was in a/damaged condition prior/ to packing or handling." Platter .17 has six panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: there are six areas interrupting the border around the circular flower, instead of the usual four. The orange enamel on the border varies from dark to medium orange. There are smudges in the orange enamel at the rim; this probably occurred during manufacture. Platter .18 has six panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: there are six areas interrupting the border around the circular flower, instead of the usual four. The gilding at the edge of the rim is slightly worn, and the enamel has rubbed away on four areas of the rim. Platter .19 has four panels of flowers around a central circular medallion. There is one slight variation to the central medallion: the areas interrupting the border around the central circular flower consist of a white animal (possibly a dog) on a dark orange background. There is one chip in the rim, and the gilding at the outer edge of the rim is slightly worn.
Status
Not on view
