Bidspirit auction | Chinese Export Mythological Four Elements

Chinese Export Mythological Four Elements Saucer - Chinese export semi-eggshell famille rose porcelain saucer, Qianlong ca. 1740. Decorated with a mythological scene of Zeus forging lightning bolts at Hephaestus' forge attended by a host of putti. Aphrodite arrives on a chariot on a large blue cloud above them. Provenance: Christie's, London, 17 September 2003, Lot 136; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Reference: Williamson, ”The Book of Famille Rose, ” plate XXXXIX. Lot Essay: This scene is taken from engravings after a series of paintings by Francesco Albani (1578-1660) from an engraving by Antoine Herisset (French, 1685-1769). Commissioned by Cardinal Maurice of Savoy representing ”The Four Elements, ” water, earth, fire, and air. This plate representing fire. A full set is illustrated in Williamson pl. XXXXIX. Diameter: 4 3/4 in. Condition: There is a crack running inward from the rim. Several small chips to the rim. There is a large chip to the plate along the lower edge. Light wear to the footrim.