China — Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736–1795) Porcelain Plate With Famille Rose Decoration

CHINA — QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736–1795) PORCELAIN PLATE WITH FAMILLE ROSE DECORATION AND GOLD HIGHLIGHTS

Porcelain with painted decoration in polychrome famille rose enamels, gold highlights.
The plate has an octagonal rim with slightly arched sides, the joints emphasized by small brackets.
The center is largely filled with a sumptuous polychrome bouquet composed of peonies and various flowers, rendered with great finesse of drawing and remarkable chromatic richness, ranging from very small inflorescences to a monumental, almost central peony.
Around this central bouquet, the inner rim of the basin is completed by seven small, finely painted floral groups, introducing a subtle asymmetry inspired by painting.
The edge of the basin is adorned with a frieze of gilded spearheads, delicately highlighted with a thin orange-red line, followed by a frame composed of a gold line between two orange-red lines.
The particularly richly decorated rim features a fine grid partially filled with pinkish conical motifs, characteristic of the famille rose style, reminiscent of precious textiles.
The inner edge of this grid is generously scalloped, and each of the eight segments receives a polychrome floral motif repeated identically, giving the whole a harmonious balance between regularity and decorative abundance. The lightly applied enamels create a subtle relief perceptible to the touch, attesting to meticulous craftsmanship and controlled firing.
The paste, white with a slight grayish tint, appears finely modeled, less smooth than contemporary European porcelains, a quality typical of Jingdezhen production in the 18th century. The undecorated reverse has a gold border.
No maker's mark.

Condition:
Very good condition. Two tiny chips on the outer rim, less than one millimeter in size, perceptible only to the touch. No significant wear to the glazes or gilding.

Dimensions: 23 cm in diameter.

The famille rose porcelains of the Qianlong period are among the most refined creations of the imperial and para-imperial workshops of Jingdezhen. The Qianlong reign is distinguished by a pronounced taste for decorative opulence, technical virtuosity, and complex compositions, all while maintaining a keen sense of balance.
The octagonal shape with gently arched sides, combined with a profusion of floral decoration dominated by the peony—a symbol of wealth, honor, and prosperity—perfectly illustrates this aesthetic.
The subtle asymmetry of the basin, with its seven peripheral floral groups, reveals a design inspired by Chinese literati painting, favoring rhythm and the vitality of the composition over strict geometry.
Thanks to the richness of its decoration, the quality of its lightly raised enamels, and its very good state of preservation, this plate is a fine example representative of the high-level production of the Qianlong period, sought after by both collectors of Chinese porcelain and connoisseurs of 18th-century objets d'art.