Lao Tzu on a Mule, Famille Verte Saucer Dish, Antique Plate 1911

An original antique color plate from Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones, London, 1911, this sheet shows a saucer-shaped famille verte dish painted with Lao Tzu on a mule. The center shows Lao Tzu riding a mule under the sun, followed by his disciple carrying scrolls, among rocks in blue and greens. A blue enamel key border surrounds the panel, and the rim has a gold diaper with chrysanthemums and six small landscape panels. Gorer and Blacker describe it as Kang-he period and record it in the Salting Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum; diameter 15 5/8 inches (39 cm).

The plate comes from Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones, the two volume work that Edgar Gorer and J. F. Blacker published through Bernard Quaritch of 11 Grafton Street, New Bond Street, London, in 1911. Two hundred and fifty four full page plates were printed in color by a photo mechanical process, each one facing a page of letterpress in English and French that described the piece. The edition was limited to one thousand numbered copies. The plates are color collotypes, and the book records that it was produced and printed by the Menpes Printing and Engraving Company of London and Watford.

Each sheet shows a single piece or group photographed against a plain ground, at a consistent scale and format throughout the book, with the plate number printed in red below. The book's text, which faced each plate, gives the authors' description, the period they assigned and the collection the piece was in.

Even age toning. Handling soiling along the bottom edge. Scattered light foxing in the margin. Slight wear at the bottom left corner. Minor edge wear, shallow nicks along the left. One larger brown mark.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.