| Accession Number: 2025.10.17 |
Chinese Porcelain Plate
Visual Description
This circular plate features a white porcelain ground richly decorated in famille rose enamels. Vibrant green, pink and blue pigments form scrolling peonies, chrysanthemums and lotus blossoms around the rim. The central medallion depicts two elegantly dressed figures in a garden setting, rendered with fine brushwork and delicate outlines.
Age and Historical Context
This plate was crafted during the Qing dynasty’s mid-19th century, most likely between the Daoguang (1821–1850) and Xianfeng (1850–1861) reigns. It originates from Jingdezhen, China’s foremost imperial kiln site, which supplied porcelain wares to both the imperial court and export markets.
The famille rose palette—known for its opaque pink enamels achieved by adding colloidal gold—reached its height of popularity under Daoguang and Xianfeng. The subject matter of courtly figures amid floral motifs reflects both scholarly tastes and the decorative demands of prosperous merchant patrons.
Museum Display Label
Accession Number: 2025.10.17
Title: Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Plate
Date: Circa 1840–1860, Qing dynasty
Origin: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China
Materials and Technique: Hard-paste porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze famille rose enamels
Dimensions: Diameter: 24.5 cm
Label Text: This mid-19th century porcelain plate exemplifies Qing dynasty technical innovation and aesthetic refinement. Produced at the famed kilns of Jingdezhen, it features vibrant famille rose enamels—recognized for their soft pink tones—and depicts two courtly figures within an abundant floral landscape. The harmonious combination of color, form and subject reflects the era’s tastes among both imperial and merchant collectors, illustrating China’s leading role in global ceramic artistry.
Colfax Area Historical Society (CAHS) and Colfax Heritage Museum (CHM) 