Uknown

Plate

Date 17th - 18th century
Materials Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze
Dimensions 3.0 cm x 20.0 cm in diameter
Marks Chengua mark
Further information GLAHA 54006.

Note This is a Qing dynasty plate showing a ‘Carp-Dragon’ which was a common theme on blue and white china. On the rim is a sea spray pattern. The reverse features Chinese symbolic motifs. This was one of the items of oriental porcelain in Whistler’s collection.

Uknown

Plate

Date 17th - 18th century
Materials Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze
Dimensions 2.9 cm x 21.0 cm in diameter
Marks signature mark at base
Further information GLAHA 54009.

Note This is a Qing dynasty plate that once belonged to Whistler. Such plates were largely designed for table use, but when they were imported to the West they were often displayed in cabinets as decorative objects. However, Whistler used his blue and white china at his dinner parties and famous Sunday breakfasts in order to turn the whole meal into a decorative arrangement. The decoration on this plate is probably taken from a romantic drama called xixiangji (Romance of the Western Chamber), showing the heroine Cui Yingying with her maid. On the border of this plate are depicted four panels with peaches. It was one of a set of four.

Uknown

Plate

Date Seventeenth to eighteenth century
Materials Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze
Dimensions 3.0 cm x 22.3 cm in diameter
Marks
Further information GLAHA.

Note This is a Qing dynasty plate showing a scene probably taken from a popular novel or drama, most probably xixiangji (Romance of the Western Chamber), showing the hero Scholar Zhang. This was one of a set of six that was part of Whistler’s collection of over 330 pieces of Chinese ceramics and approximately 15 items of Japanese ceramics.