Platter

Datelate 18th-early 19th century

MediumDrape-molded Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width x depth): 18 1/8 x 14 5/8in. (46 x 37.1cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour

Object number1945.1.1422.2

DescriptionOval, Chinese export porcelain platter with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration; the platter is a type of Chinese export porcelain known as Nankingware. The underglaze decoration shows a Chinese landscape. In the middle of the landscape is a tree with a series of Chinese structures and walls to the right. The tree, structures, and walls are located on land that sticks out into a body of water, most likely a river. A boat floats down the river, and a bridge connects two islands in the foreground. Two small figures can be found in the landscape, one on the bridge and one in a boat. The landscape is located on the bottom surface of the platter and is surrounded by a series of borders. The first is a plain blue line, followed by a field of white, followed by a border consisting of a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond, or lattice, pattern inside. At three points, this border is interrupted by an area of white containing a wavy line and various figures and geometric patterns (perhaps inspired by the Eight Taoist Immortals and their symbols). This border is surrounded by a field of white, then the "Nanking" border, which is a pattern of short lines alternating between a thin line with a dot at either end and a thin line with an arrowhead at one end. The "Nanking" border is surrounded by a border of scrolls, leaves, and abstract floral motifs at the rim of the platter. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface.

Status

Not on view