A rare export plate with decoration of Neptune and the Neireds

Description:

China, Yongzheng period, ca. 1730-35
D. 16,4 cm
Probably made for the Dutch market, Neptune, the god of the sea, is shown with his trident in the centre of the motif, flanked by Nereids to his left and right and three large fish or whales at his feet. The lower part of the motif shows the sea. The rim is decorated with a repeating diamond pattern.
Old European private collection, collected before 2007
The decor is based on an etching called "The Realm of Neptune" by Frederick Bloemaert (ca. 1610-ca. 1669), which was made between 1650 and 1656 after a drawing by his father Abraham Bloemaert (1566-1651). It is a baroque design that is only found in blue and white on Chinese porcelain and occurs on fine-grained porcelain and Chinese soft-paste porcelain. Both dinnerware and teaware were produced. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a plate in its collection from the Helena Woolworth McCann Collection, purchase, Winfield Foundation Gift, 1966 - In fine condition except for a small chip to the rim