Pair of Chinese export famille rose ‘Valentine pattern’ plates, ca. 1750 – Porselein – China – Qianlong (1736-1795)

Pair of Chinese export plates, Qianlong, ca. 1750. This plate features a simplified version of the well-known “Valentine” pattern. The original, more detailed scene—with palm and breadfruit trees—was likely drawn by Piercy Brett, official artist to Lord Anson during his West Indies voyages. A refined version was produced for Anson’s armorial service around 1743, and Brett’s illustrations later inspired engravings in Anson’s Voyages (1748). The design, once known as “Where is the Shepherd?”, remained popular for years. Variants appeared in underglaze blue with hounds, puppies, and Chinese-style shepherds in European dress beneath pine trees. Ref.: - Bonhams Skinner, Boston, March 2, 2014, lot 66 for an identical single plate. (sold USD 1.845,00)Literature:- D.S. Howard: 'The Choice of the Private Trader: The Private Market in Chinese Export Porcelain Illustrated in the Hodroff Collection', 1994, p. 91, no. 79 for an identical example and a discussion on the pattern. - Maria Antonia Pinto de Matos: 'The RA Collection of Chinese Ceramics: A Collector's Vision Vol. 2', 2011, p. 244/245, no. 330 for an identical pair of plates. Condition (UV-checked):- The rims of both plates have a restored hairline and several restored small superficial chips.- One of the plates has some short glaze... lees verder bij Catawiki