Qianlong period circa 1770
European Market
Height: 6 inches; 15cm

Priced in US dollars  
$1,250
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A Chinese export porcelain milk jug of ‘helmet’ form with a famille rose panel with a mythological scene.

The scene shows Flora and Cupid and is copied from a small ornament print, circa 1710, of a type made for use by craftsmen, especially enamellers decorating snuffboxes. In this case the Chinese artist, possibly under the direction of the European merchant placing the order, has dressed the goddess.

The original of this print has not been found but it was illustrated in John Grand-Carteret’s Rire et Galanterie (circa 1907), p184, with a verse underneath:
“Que cette Flore est agréable;
J’admire ces vives couleurs;
Et ne vois rien le plus aimable; 
Qu’un belle objet paré des fleurs.”
It is inscribed “A Paris, chez de Poilly, A la Belle Image” probably for Jean-Baptiste de Poilly (1669–1728) or his brother Nicolas de Poilly (1675–1723) both sons of the better known François de Poilly (1623-93).

References: Hervouët & Bruneau 1986, p134, No 6.56, a saucer.