Ref: Y534
Archive item - not for sale
Chinese 'Pronk' arbor dish, Qianlong (1736-95), decorated after the Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk's design with figures in a topiary garden scene in the centre, the border with shaped-cartouches containing moths, butterflies, flowers and fruit against a geometric ground with shells, diameter: 12 3/4in., 32.3cm; condition: good, slight discolouration to ground of central decoration (see image). Cornelis Pronk (1691-1754) was commissioned by the VOC to produce designs for Chinese porcelain. Jorg has identified the arbor scene as the Pronk's fourth and last design (drawn in 1737) for the VOC. Due to the high cost of producing such designs in coloured enamels, Jorg estimates that only three large dinner services of this design may have been produced. For further information see: C.J.A. Jorg, 'Pronk porcelain: Porcelain after designs by Cornelis Pronk', pp. 36-37. For a plate with the same design see the MET Museum Collection, Accession number: 1984.224. SOLD
