A CHINESE EXPORT LARGE DEEP DISH circa 1730

the center painted with the arms of Elwick of Middlesex within a panel reserved against a grisaille Chinese riverscape, the cavetto with an iron-red and gilt cell diaper border reserved with blossoms and four panels of gilt pomegranates, and the rim with a grisaille and gilt cell diaper ground reserved with four gilt riverscape panels, the top panel interrupted by the armored arm crest, and the edge with a gilt demi blossom and foliate-scroll border.

Sold, Christie's South Kensington, London, June 22, 1995, lot 573

New York, International Asian Art Fair, 2002

Good condition.
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.

A virtually identical dish from this service made for John Elwick of Mile End and Cornwall, is illustrated by Fuchs, p. 56, no. 19, who comments that this service is "the earliest datable example of porcelain decorated en grisaille," a color that, according to Père d'Entrecolles, the "Jesuit missionary who toured Jingdezhen in 1712 and 1722", reported had been difficult for the Chinese to fire successfully, as the "China-Ink" dissipated in the heat of the kiln.  A larger deep dish from this service is illustrated by Le Corbeiller 1974, p. 50, no. 22. A plate is illustrated by Howard 1974, p. 234, no. E3; Krahl and Harrison-Hall, p. 215, no. 93; and Lunsingh Scheurleer, pl. 283; and a spoon tray illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 408, no. 407, was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19,2000, lot 277.  A charger from this service was in the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, sold at Christie's in New York on January 20, 2004, lot 258.