Soup plate

The soup plate is circular in shape, with a plain rim pinched at regular intervals. It is complete. The rim is thick and slightly domed. The rim is slightly inward sloping and concave, with a small bulge at its junction with the wall; the wall is curved and the base is slightly domed. On the reverse, the plate rests on a double countersunk foot; the bottom is recessed and flat. There are three pernette marks on the reverse. There is a mark printed in blue below the base: Semi-China, in a double rectangle with truncated corners and scroll-like symbols around the edge. There are linear markings on the inner base and numerous markings under the base ; The decoration is applied by transfer printed; it is blue in color and oriental in motif. The printed decoration is visible on the marli, on the inner wall and on the inner base. The decoration on the border consists of two different elements: near the edge is a narrow braid encircled by two lines and composed of a staggered row of lozenges with a cross in the center. The main motif of the marli, which occupies half the plate’s diameter, is repeated in mirror image. It consists of a radiating feather headdress, from the top of which emerge two acanthus leaves, while from the base extend two long leafy ribs. On either side of the cap are pairs of half-flowers, with the exception of one single flower, as well as pairs of circular flowers, sometimes flanked by lozenges. The wall is decorated with a row of pairs of spirals surmounted by a spearhead sitting on a fillet. The background decoration, which rises slightly above the wall, is surrounded by a ring that borders the wall’s entablature. It features an oriental scene with bamboo and a vase of flowers. The decoration rests on a full herbaceous terrace, with a polylobed motif in reserve at its base, revealing a second terrace supporting the roots and trunks of two trees. The main motif of the large terrace is a leafy, flowering grove, from which emerge two curved bamboo stems with leafy heads. To its right rises a polylobed motif adorned with a leaf, crosses and leaves in reserve. It is surrounded by an undulating mass in dark blue, adorned with polylobed motifs in reserve. The right-hand zone is taken up by a vase with sides featuring a stylized flower in reserve in the center. The pot rests on a square support with four legs. A large flower emerges from the pot, flanked by leafy, flowering plant stems. The decoration is clearly rendered. The junction of the border frieze is visible.