Meissen Porcelain 'Schmetterling' Plate, Circa 1730-3

Ref: W811

Meissen porcelain 'schmetterling' plate, circa 1730-3, with brown-glazed lobed petal rim, decorated in overglaze enamels to the centre with the kakiemon-style ‘schmetterling’ pattern, with a large butterfly resting upon a flowering bough, the rim with three large foliate sprays alternating with three smaller sprigs, the reverse with crossed swords mark in underglaze blue to the base.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 22cm. (8 5/8in.)

Condition:

Edge possibly ground, crack to base and wear to enamels

Notes:

The Meissen ‘schmetterling’ pattern, which appears to date from the 1730s onwards, derives from Japanese kakiemon and Chinese famille verte designs. The Royal Hunting Palace at Hubertsburg had an entire service of this design listed in its inventory ‘mit dem papillon gemahlet’ – see Weber J., ‘Meissener Porzellane mit Dekoren nach ostasiatischen Vorbildern’, p.344.

Provenance:

Private collection of art dealer Abraham van der Meer (1927-2008)