A RARE CHINESE EXPORT SHIP PLATE CIRCA 1815-20

inscribed Friendship Salem above a deptiction of a three-masted sailing ship.

Gordon, 1977, p. 132, pl. 119

There are several areas of retstoration to the rim of the plate, one area covering a fine 2 inch haircrack running across the border, the other areas apparently covering rim chips, notably along the edge of the bird panel on the left hand side. The restoration has been well done.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present plate is one of only two published examples. The other, in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, is illustrated by Mudge, 1981, p. 222, fig. 132 and Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 46, no. 2.31, who suggest the plate commemorates the ship 'Friendship' built in Portland in 1815. The design of the ship is however very close to that of the Salem East Indiaman 'Friendship' built in 1796, a replica of which was built in 2000 and which now resides at the Salem Maritime Historic Site. As an interesting aside, the design of the present plate, including its unsual Chinese patterned border of bats, cash and panels of children playing, was reproduced in blue and white transferware by Wedgwood in the mid-20th century.