Bidspirit auction | Chinese Export American Market Plate

Chinese Export American Market Plate - Chinese export American market porcelain plate, Jiaqing ca. 1810. The center painted with an eagle holding a shield. An unusual plate given that plates with this motif generally have laurels or arrows in the claws. Illustrated in Howard & Ayers, ”China for the West, ” Vol. II, pg. 505. Provenance: Mottahedeh Collection; Heirloom & Howard Ltd., 28 January 2002; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Lot Essay: Howard surmises that the unusual decoration of this plate may indicate that the central motif was added later with the intent to indicate an earlier date. He also notes that very few entirely plain plates were produced, and that other examples such as this should be closely scrutinized as it is not highly likely that all are forgeries. He asserts that the plate is ca. 1810, but supposes that the decoration could have been a later addition, though it is not certain. Diameter: 8 in. Condition: There is a hairline crack extending inwards from the rim towards the center of the plate approx. 3 inches in length. A few very minute frits to the edge. No signs of restoration. Light surface wear including some minute losses to the polychrome.