A porcelain saucer dish decorated in famille verte enamels with two court ladies seated at tables. The upper scene depicts a court lady dressed in a yellow robe lined with blue, scholar’s objects are arranged upon the table. The lower scene presents a similar composition, yet the colours of the robe are reversed, with blue appearing more dominant. The central medallion features a child holding a lotus flower, surrounded by scrolling foliage. The floral panels are decorated with peonies, chrysanthemums, and carnations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :

The symmetry is particularly noteworthy on this dish, especially the segmentation of the composition. The dish presents four panels, two figural and two floral, perfectly divided and organised around a central medallion. The symmetry extends to the depiction of the court ladies themselves, who are perfectly opposed, with the objects appearing to echo one another. The reading of this dish is almost circular, with the central figure also drawn into the movement by the concentric scrolling foliage.

The figures are rendered with great delicacy, the faces are particularly expressive and the drapery flows with fluidity. There is also superb enamel work, with fine relief.

The multiplicity of objects arranged upon the tables appears to illustrate the refined pleasures of the scholar, lending the composition a contemplative quality.

BIBLIOGRAPHY :

We have not found any identical models, although this dish combines different styles of famille verte porcelain, which appear to have been merged here.

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