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Chinese Export Porcelain Blue and White Porcelain After Maria Sybille Merian
$3,200per set
$8,000per set60% Off
£2,417.48per set
£6,043.70per set60% Off
€2,772.33per set
€6,930.82per set60% Off
CA$4,464.99per set
CA$11,162.47per set60% Off
A$4,859.28per set
A$12,148.20per set60% Off
CHF 2,575.90per set
CHF 6,439.75per set60% Off
MX$58,460.85per set
MX$146,152.13per set60% Off
NOK 32,670.68per set
NOK 81,676.70per set60% Off
SEK 29,891.39per set
SEK 74,728.46per set60% Off
DKK 20,711.39per set
DKK 51,778.46per set60% Off
About the Item
Pair of Chinese Export 'Pronk' Blue and White Plates after Maria Sibylla Merian
For the Dutch Market, Qianlong Period,
Circa 1740-1745
This rare and historically significant pair of plates represents a pinnacle of "Chine de commande" – Chinese porcelain made to a specific European order. They are a product of a famous, short-lived, and ambitious project by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to have designs by Dutch artist Cornelis Pronk and his workshop executed by master artisans in China. The sophisticated central design after a botanical engraving by the celebrated German-Dutch naturalist and artist, Maria Sibylla Merian.
Description and Design
Each plate is meticulously painted in a vibrant underglaze blue. The central well features a beautifully rendered botanical study of flowering tobacco plants, an image derived directly from Merian's groundbreaking work on the flora of Surinam.
This scientific illustration is framed by a purely European border of elaborate baroque scrolls, with the details elegantly highlighted in gold. The result is a remarkable artistic synthesis: a European botanical study, framed by a European border, executed with the unparalleled skill of Chinese porcelain painters on a Chinese body for the specific tastes of the Dutch market.
Historical Background
Context 🧐
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717): A pioneering naturalist, explorer, and one of the greatest botanical artists in history, Merian was celebrated for her scientifically accurate and breathtakingly beautiful illustrations of plants and insects. Her work was highly prized by collectors and royalty, including King George III, and her engravings served as a source of inspiration for many decorative arts.
Cornelis Pronk and the VOC: In an effort to standardize and elevate their porcelain offerings, the Dutch East India Company commissioned the artist Cornelis Pronk in 1734 to create a series of drawings to be sent to Canton for reproduction. While original Pronk designs like "The Parasol Ladies" are famous, his workshop also adapted existing popular European prints. The designs based on Merian's work are among the most sophisticated of these, appealing directly to the Dutch passion for botany and natural wonders.
A Rare and Important Commission: The Pronk designs, with their incredible detail, proved very expensive for the Chinese potters to execute. The project lasted only a few years (c. 1734-1740), making any surviving examples exceptionally rare. These plates are a tangible link between the worlds of European scientific exploration, Dutch artistic design, and the masterful craftsmanship of the Qianlong-era porcelain industry.
Condition, References
Details
Condition: Excellent, with no damage or restoration.
References: This specific design is a well-documented and important example of Pronk-era porcelain. Related examples are published extensively and can be found in the world's most important museum collections, including the Rijksmuseum, and in seminal private collections such as the Mottahedeh and Hodroff collections.
Dimensions: 10 1/16 inches diameter x 1 1/8 inches high (25.56 cm).
(Ref: NY9667-npim)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)Diameter: 10.07 in (25.58 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Chinese Export (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1740
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Fantastic condition.
- Seller Location:Downingtown, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: NY9667-npim1stDibs: LU861024238622
About the Seller
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Associations
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Downingtown, PA
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