Pair of trays. Canton, China, 19th century.
Enamelled porcelain.
One of them is restored.
Measurements: 2 x 14 x 20 cm.
Pair of porcelain trays with polychrome decoration in the Cantonese Rose Family style, characterised by the predominance of light and very luminous tones, especially pink and green. This style is typical of ceramics exported to Europe, developed mainly during the second half of the 19th century. It is an ornate and highly ornamental style, usually decorated with figurative scenes, and mainly characterised by the use of a broader palette than that of the normal Rose Family, dominated by light and bright shades, mainly pinks and greens. Thanks to the discovery of the white glaze at the end of the Kangxi period (first half of the 18th century), Chinese potters broadened the palette, achieving new tonal ranges that allowed them to conform more closely to European tastes, even achieving gradations of colour. Furthermore, as can be seen here, these pieces are often enriched with gilt details, very much in keeping with Western tastes. Within the Canton Rose Family there are three styles: pink medallion, nonya or straits and the Mandarin style. This pair of vases belongs to the first of these three styles, the rose medallion, introduced in 1860 and characterised by medallions in reserve, poly-lobed as here or peach-shaped, which house figurative scenes inspired by the old imperial court. They may be accompanied, as here, by cartouches also in reserve, with motifs of flowers and insects. The bottoms are entirely covered with vegetal decorations. They were made in Jingdezhen, the most important centre of pottery and porcelain production in China, from where they were brought undecorated to Canton, an important port where they were decorated with glazes and sold to foreign customers.