Chinese Famille Rose Double Peacock Soup Plate, Qianlong (1736-95)

Ref: W645

Chinese famille rose double peacock soup plate, Qianlong (1736-95), painted in enamels and gilt, the centre with a peacock and peahen perched on rockwork beside a large peony-blossom amongst various flowering branches, within a spear-head border to the cavetto, the wide rim with garlands of flowers enclosed by a geometric patterned border, interspersed by cartouches containing scrolls

Dimensions:

Diameter: 23 cm. (9 1/16 in.)

Condition:

Shallow chip to interior footrim; otherwise good

Notes:

King Joao VI of Portugal is known to have owned a service in this pattern. When Napoleon invaded Portugal in 1807, King Joao (who was Prince Regent at this time) fled to Brazil, taking his six services of Chinese porcelain with him, including one of this same design. The pattern is known as 'Serviço dos Pavões' in Brazil, and there are several examples in the collections of Brazilian museums today.