A RARE CHINESE EXPORT EUROPEAN SUBJECT PLATE CIRCA 1755

finely painted with a scene of two men in stocks outside a jail watched by a jeering crowd.

Gordon, 1977, p. 73, pl. 57

There is a star crack to one side of the center running about 3 inches across. There is some wear to the gilding around the cavetto and slight stacking wear to the enamels. The border of the plate has some fine crazing. There is a 1/8 inch and a pinhead chip to the very edge of the rim.
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.

The only other published example of this subject is on a slightly larger plate, formerly in the Mottahedeh Collection, sold in these rooms, January 30, 1985, lot 180, and subsequently at Sotheby's, Monaco, June 22, 1987, lot 1450; Sotheby's, London, May 10, 1988; Christie's, Amsterdam, May 14, 1991, lot 188 and Sotheby's, London, November 5, 1991, lot 118. The same plate is illustrated and discussed by Hervouet and Bruneau, 1986, p, 196, no. 9.4, where the authors identify the scene as Hudibras and Ralph in the stocks receiving a visit from the widow, from an engraving of 1725 by William Hogarth, one of series to illustrate the poem 'Hudibras', by Samuel Butler.