Platter

Datelate 18th-early 19th century

MediumMold-formed Chinese export porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width x depth): 12 1/8 x 9 3/8in. (30.8 x 23.8cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour

Object number1945.1.1437

DescriptionOval, Chinese export porcelain platter with hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue decoration in the Fitzhugh pattern. The Fitzhugh pattern consists of four groups of flowers and Chinese emblems spaced evenly around a circular central medallion. The central medallion is a circular floral arrangement surrounded by a blue border that consists of a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond pattern inside. At four points, this border is interrupted by a blue area with a small white animal (possibly a dog). The central panel is surrounded by a "Nanking" border, consisting of a series of lines alternating between a line with a dot at either end and a line with an arrowhead at one end. The entire Fitzhugh pattern, the central medallion and four panels of flowers, is surrounded by two additional borders at the rim. The first border is the "Nanking" border, followed by a band of blue with darker lines creating a diamond, or lattice, pattern inside. Imperfections in the porcelain appear as black dots on the surface of the platter. An unknown red substance, possibly paint, has adhered to a small area on the rim of the platter.

Status

Not on view