Plate - Porcelain

Antique Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain plate; Canton, 19th century

This square porcelain plate with curved corners is a classic and beautifully crafted example of Chinese export porcelain from the late 19th century. The piece is decorated in the world-famous Rose Medallion style, a sub-branch of Famille Rose from Canton, characterized by alternating panels with lively court scenes and detailed birds, butterflies, and floral motifs. Because the back of the plate is unmarked and bears no origin stamp, the object can be dated to the period before the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890.

The absolute highlight and a fascinating peculiarity of this plate becomes apparent upon closer examination of the floral segment. A dark blemish, created during the imperfect firing in the kiln, was not declared as a reject by the artisans of the workshop, but was masked with remarkable creativity. The black flaw was later painted over with a fine insect head, antennae and legs, to integrate the contamination as a small beetle into the floral overall image. While the legs and fine limbs have faded over the decades, this charming remnant of traditional Chinese craftsmanship remains faintly visible and makes this plate a highly individual collectible with its own story.

Wear consistent with age (see photos);
Dimensions: approx. 23.5 x 23.5 x 4.8 cm

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