China, Kangxi period (1662 – 1722), circa 1700
Ø: 41 cm

Provenance: Provenance:
-Robert Hoe III Collection, New York (Label)
- J.T. Tai Collection, USA, 2011
- Private Collection, The Netherlands 2012

Published: Kangxi Porcelain & Coromandel Lacquer, Vanderven Oriental Art 2013

These powder blue dishes, with large scalloped reserve panels, are decorated with riverscapes in famille verte enamels. On the banks of the waterside, are various pavilions between the rocks and trees. In the foreground is a bridge and a small boat floats in the water. The scene is nocturnal, which you can tell by the golden moon in the sky also reflected in the water. In one of the plates a meditating man in a pavilion suggests the tranquillity of the scene; whilst a group of flying wild geese and colourful swimming fish add to the idyllic setting. Surrounding the central panel, the powder blue ground is embellished with gilded lotus and vine patterns. The rim has white reserves, alternating with painted gold cartouches, both with floral sprays. Similar plates can be found in the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) and the Topkapi Saray Museum (Istanbul).

The reverse of the dishes have various labels, which are helpful for tracing the history of ownership. Under one of the rims, is a white oval label with ‘Hoe’ written in black ink, beside it a printed date label – ‘K’ang-Hsi Period 1662-1722’. ‘Hoe’ no doubt refers to the collection of business man and one of the Metropolitan Museum founders, Robert Hoe III (1839-1909). A large part of his famous and diverse collection was sold after his death in a large New York sale in 1911. His son Arthur sold another part in 1915. Later these dishes were in the J.T. Tai collection, a renowned and influential dealer based in New York from 1950-1996. Both plates have an unidentified oval label inscribed in black ink ‘CT79’.

Literature:
Christiaan J.A. Jörg & Jan van Campen, Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Amsterdam / London 199, pl.158

Christiaan J.A. Jörg, Famille Verte. Chinese Porcelain in Green Enamels, Exhitibiton Groninger Museum, 2011, pl. 101 & 102

Regina Krahl, R. & John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul; A complete catalogue, part III: Qing Dynasty Porcelains. London, 1986, pl. 3249 pl. 3248 & 3249