A CHINESE EXPORT ALLEGORICAL PLATE circa 1740-45

emblematic of 'Water,' and depicting 'The Triumph of Galatea' with the goddess seated in her shell-form chariot, holding the ends of a billowing pink drapery and surrounded by cupids, nymphs and tritons, at the left a figure representing 'The Source' overturns an urn issuing a torrent of foaming water, and the rim with a two-tone gilt blossom and foliate-scroll border.  Star crack and some minor touched-up chips.

Two 1/8 inch filled in chips under the edge at 11:30, a 1/2-inch haircrack at 6:30 hidden in border, rim with some stresscracks in the glaze, center of base with faint star crack in the glaze, 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.

See the note to lot 200.

In Francesco Albani's letter to his patron, Cardinal Maurice of Savoy mentioned above, the artist explains ". . . In the third painting, where I represent Water, I wish to show not only the blending of springs and streams with rivers, but also that of the rivers with the sea.  On the sea I have painted Galatea, emblem of the foam, . . . and I have placed around her cupids, nymphs and tritons, primarily because these figures offer different tones for an agreeable coloration, and secondly because they are a reminder of the sea's bounty of pearls, coral and fish . . .".  The letter is cited by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 319, no. 13.94, who illustrate a similarly decorated large plate from the collection of François Hervouët, sold at Sotheby's in Monte Carlo on June 22, 1987, lot 1654.

An identical plate is illustrated by Le Corbeiller 1974, p. 64, no. 27, who on p. 65, fig. 27, also illustrates the source engraving of 'L'eau' by Antoine Herisset (1685-1769) after the Albani painting.  Other identical plates are illustrated by Hyde, p. 80, pl. XIV, fig. 46; Jörg 1989, p. 177, no. 64; Williamson, pl. XXXIX (top, left), the aforementioned example illustrated by Palmer, p. 71, color pl. 7; and Veiga, p. 123, pl. 92, who illustrates the example from the collection of Jorge Getulio Veiga, sold at Sotheby's in London on October 31, 1989, lot 291.