China. Compagnie des Indes. 18th century. - Lot 18

China. Compagnie des Indes. 18th century. Two porcelain and grisaille plates with gilded decoration depicting a woman in European dress and a gallant lunch on the Isle of Cythera D. 22.5 cm D. 23 cm Compagnie des Indes, which in the 18th century supplied the European market, particularly France. This grisaille painting is beautifully executed. Look at the finesse of the details, the perfection of the composition and its balance, making this plate a work of art in its own right. It depicts pilgrims on the island of Kythera. Qianlong period. It is inspired by a 1708 engraving by Bernard Picart (1673-1733), painted here in grisaille, iron red and gilding. A cupid with a flaming torch guides the gallant couple sharing a cup of wine to the Greek island of Cytherea. Other plates related to the one presented by Aponem are in the Musée National de la Céramique in Sèvres and the Musée Adrien Dubouché in Limoges. Please request condition reports prior to sale: they are not included in the data sheets.