A CHINESE EXPORT PLATE circa 1745-55

painted with a gentleman strumming a guitar and seated beside a barrel behind which a gallant with his right arm around his sweetheart offers her a posy while she plays a triangle, the cavetto with a grisaille and gilt cup-and-ball border, and the rim with an elaborate rocaillerie border.  Minor chips under the edge.

Vetmas, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rim with speckling/grittiness all around and on back, a 1/8 inch chip at 6 o'clock, a 3 mm chip at 5:30 and a very narrow 4mm chip at 7 o'clock all under rim edge, stacking wear as seen.
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.

Identical plates are illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 188, no. 8.15, the example in the collection of François Hervouët, sold at Sotheby's in London on June 22, 1987, lot 1617; by Veiga, p. 167, pl. 139, the example in the collection of Jorge Getulio Veiga, sold also in those rooms on October 31, 1987, lot 253; and by Howard 1994, p. 88, no. 75, the example sold at Christie's in London on March 7, 1984, lot 221, who comments that "this version of a country music party has a distinctly Continental flavour and is one of at least six such scenes which illustrate musicians in gently amorous situations—all after European originals of the period 1735-50."