A CHINESE EXPORT ARMORIAL RUBY-BACK PLATE circa 1730-35

the gold and iron-red Y-diaper ground reserved with a central roundel and five surrounding green-scroll-edged cartouches painted in thick famille-rose enamels with a spray of peonies, prunus, chrysanthemums and other flowers, the top of one cartouche also with the arms of the city of Amsterdam between gold lion supporters, and the underside of the rim and well with a ruby-enameled ground.  Two small chips under the rim.

The Property of a European Collector, sold, Christie's, London, November 15, 2000, lot 294

New York, International Asian Art Fair, 2002

2mm chip under rim at 10:30 and at 10 o'clock.
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 plate in the British Museum is illustrated by Krahl and Harrison-Hall, p. 281, no. 125; and another in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, is illustrated by Lunsingh Scheurleer, pl. 269; and by Jörg 1997, p. 316, no. 376, who notes that "there seems to be no similar examples with the arms of other cities, provinces, countries or families.  It is not known for what occasion or by whom these plates were ordered, but they may have been meant for the city council or the Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC."