A CHINESE EXPORT SOUP PLATE circa 1745

the center painted en grisaille with six small figures near classical buildings on the bank of a narrow river with an arched bridge amongst trees in the distance, the cavetto with a gilt spearhead-edged trelliswork and floral panel border, and the rim with a gilt blossom and foliate-scroll ground reserved with panels of Chinese figures or river landscapes.  The rim with a hair crack and small chips.

Sold, Christie's, London, November 17, 1986, lot 403

San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

2 1/4-inch hair crack at 7 o'clock and 3mm chip at 10:30 under rim edge, 3mm chip at 4 o'clock, 3/16 inch firing crack at 6:30, a 2mm chip under rim at 5:30, minor stacking wear.
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.

An identical soup plate is illustrated by Le Corbeiller 1974, p. 89, no. 35, who comments that it was made for the Continental market and "reflects a taste for architectural views fashionable about 1740 at Meissen, where they were sometimes accompanied by versions of this traditional Yung Chêng [Yongzheng (1723-35)] border."  The same soup plate is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, who note that the scene reproduces an engraving by Sébastien Le Clerc [the Elder (1637-1714)] from Diverses Suites de figures, chevaux et paysages pour l'instruction de M. le Duc de Bourgogne, (circa 1685)."