Soup plate

The soup plate is circular in shape, with a plain rim pinched at regular intervals. It is complete except for a small chip on the rim. The rim is thick and slightly domed. The rim slopes slightly inwards, the wall is curved and the base is flat. On the reverse, the plate rests on a small milled foot; the bottom is recessed and flat. There are three pernette marks on the reverse. There are two detached incised marks under the base: (LEE)DS POTTERY B. There are linear marks on the inner base and numerous marks under the base. There is a crack running from the edge to the bottom; the decoration is applied by transfer printed; it is blue in color with the Long Bridge motif. The printed decoration is visible on the inner margin, wall and base. The decoration on the border consists of two different motifs repeated alternately, separated by a third motif; the whole is bordered by a wavy band running along the edge. One of the motifs consists of an area delimited by scrolls and filled with a latticework; in the center, a poly-lobed oval isolates a small flower in reserve, flanked by leaves, while the base of the area is closed by a double line supporting a half-flower flanked by two leafy branches. Two acanthus leaves emerge from the scrolls. The other motif is delimited by two solid, mirrored Greek motifs and solid bands arranged in a stepped rectangle; these elements frame an area decorated with a diamond latticework featuring a cross with a polylobed motif in the center. These motifs are separated by a zone featuring two different motifs: a branch flanked by a polylobed element, then a scroll and band arranged in a triangle that close a triangular zone trimmed with dotted beads or partridge-eye; from the scroll and band emerge a half-flower trimmed with a leafy branch. The decoration on the wall is a band delimited by two fine lines: it is adorned with three rows of alveoli with a reserved center; these alveoli are interrupted by four areas arranged in a cross, decorated with a central flower flanked by two flowering branches and closed at each end by a scroll. The background decoration, which rises slightly above the wall, is surrounded by a ring that borders the wall band. It features an oriental scene with river, bridge and islands. On the main island, in the foreground, stands a tiered pagoda topped by a roof with a central pole; bounded on the front by a fence, it is bordered by trees on the right, while on its left a bridge seen in profile links it to another island on which stands a pavilion. Two figures cross the three-arched bridge; a sailboat sails at the foot of the bridge. In the upper background is another island with several buildings; two sailboats are sailing past this island. The rendering of the decor is clear. The junction of the marli frieze is visible.