Platter

1840-1875

Measurements

1-5/8 in x 19-3/4 n x 16-5/8 in

Materials

Enameled, gilded, and glazed porcelain

Credit Line

Anonymous loan to Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

2011.14

Condition Notes

Only traces remain of gilding in the border decoration around the rim.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

This oval platter, finely executed in blue and white, shows a characteristic Chinese image of a building set in a rugged landscape with a body of water separating more distant lands.  Asian trees and birds populate the picture, and two wide and detailed bands encircle it.  Part of the banded decoration was originally picked out in gilt, but it has now worn off almost entirely.

Fine renderings in blue and white are often called “Nanking,” in reference to the port where such porcelains were decorated.  Related blue-and-white porcelains of lesser quality are often called “Canton.”  This particular design is often called "Willowware."

The outside bottom of this platter is unglazed.