Chinese Export Blue and White Plate, Qianlong period, second quarter 18th century

A Chinese export plate with a bouquet of flowers and diaper borders in underglaze blue, dating from the second quarter of the 18th century.

The rim has a couple of small fits on the underside and kiln grit. As is usual with export ware, there is no mark on the back.

The 1600s saw a revival of China’s porcelain industry, following the disruption of civil war during the late Ming period. The export of blue and white porcelain flourished as the western demand for Chinese porcelain dramatically increased. Patterns were often copied from Europe as supercargoes and East India Company merchants brought back porcelain as ballast for their tea and silks. This bouquet of flowers is reminiscent of early Meissen designs.