A CHINESE EXPORT ALLEGORICAL PLATE circa 1740-45

emblematic of 'Earth,' and depicting Ceres seated beside the naked Bacchus in her lion-drawn chariot with Cybèle and Flora behind them, and on the ground around them playful cupids with baskets of flowers in the hilly landscape, the rim with a two-tone gilt blossom and foliate-scroll border.

Charles H. Perry, Atlanta, Georgia

London, A Tale of Three Cities, 1997, no. 133

David S. Howard, A Tale of Three Cities: Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, p. 111, no. 133

Good condition, minor stacking wear in picnic area.
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.

See the note to the preceding lot.

Identical plates are illustrated by Krahl and Harrison-Hall, p. 136, no. 57; Lunsingh Scheurleer, pl. 232; and Williamson, pl. XXXIX (top, right), who also illustrates a teapot with this scene, pl. XXIV (top, right).  Another identical plate was sold at Christie's in London on October 18, 1976, lot 182.  Plates with this scene of 'Earth,' but with a blue enamel scrollwork border, are illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 319, no. 13.95; and Howard and Ayers, Vol. I, p. 332, no. 328, the example from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000, lot 246.  Another with that more prevalent blue scrollwork border was in the collection of Leo and Doris Hodroff, sold at Christie's in New York on January 23, 2008, lot 392