A set of four doucai 'South Sea Bubble' plates, circa 1720

each painted with a comedian on a tile floor beneath a beamed ceiling, inscribed:
Wie op uÿtrecht of nieuw Amsterdam (Who speculates on Utrecht or New Amsterdam);
50 per- cent op Delft gewonnen (50 per cent gained on Delft);
Pardie al mijn Actien kwijt! (Suddenly lost all my shares!);
Schÿt Actien enwind- handel. (Crap shares and swindle);
20.9-21.3 cm. diam.; inv. nos. 4-2772 and 4-2886; some chips (4)

Paleis Soestdijk

All with some rubbing to the gilding, in particular to the floor and ceiling. Some small spots of usual wear to the glaze. '50 per- cent op Dela gewonne': A small shallow chip (ca. 0.3 x 0.3 cm.) to the reverse of the rim. 'Pardie al mijn Actien kwijt!': To the reverse of the rim one small shallow chip (ca. 0.9 x 0.3 cm.) and a very small chip (ca. 0.2 x 0.3 cm.). 'Wie op uÿtrecht of nieuw Amsterdam': The rim with three small chips (ca. 0.5, 0.3, 0.3 cm. wide) and two glaze frits (ca. 0.1 cm. wide), to the reverse of the rim one small shallow chip (ca. 0.4 x 0.3 cm.) and three tiny chips (0.2, 0.2 and 0.1 cm. wide), the foot rim with four small chips. Some wear to the black enamels of the second text line.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The pattern and inscription satirize the financial speculation disaster in 1720 which started in England with South Sea Company, and spread to France and Holland. The economic bubble is described and illustrated in the contemporary source Het groote tafereel der dwaasheid, vertoonende de opkomst, voortgang en ondergang der actie, bubbel en windnegotie, in Vrankryk, Engeland en de Nederlanden, gepleegt in den jaar MDCCXX (The great scene of madness, ....) of 1720. See D. Howard and J. Ayers, China for the West, London 1978, Vol. I, pp. 234-235, for a discussion of these types of plates.