Chinese Porcelain Blue and White Painted Spoon Tray Qianlong Antique c 1750

An antique mid 18th century Chinese export porcelain underglaze blue and white hand painted spoon tray or spoon rest. 

The tray is of an hexagonal (a parallelogon or elongated rhombus) shape with a tapering lobed or large ribbed edge. The inside is decorated with a hand painted garden landscape with a swastika panelled fence, bamboo, a plantain tree and a hollow blue rock with chrysanthemum type flowers. There is a stylised waves or faux lattice basket weave and line border.

It dates to mid 18th century (circa 1750) from the reign of the Emperor Qianlong 乾隆 (1736-95) the Qing dynasty 清代. George II was on the throne in the UK at the time this was made.

It is in very good antique condition: There is a tight short 4 mm long crack to the rim on the left hand end, a tiny nick to the other end, possibly from fritting to the glaze which is present on the rim. There is a short firing tear to the base at the back, from manufacture. This shows through as a crack in the body on the base but does not appear to have affected the glaze on the front. Please see the images. 

This is a most attractive and reasonably unusual item to add to a collection of Chinese porcelain, blue and white items or tea-ware.

Free UK and international postage at cost with this item.

Length  5 5/16 inch ( 13.5 cm)
Height  13/16 inch ( 2.0 cm)
Width 3 1/2 inches ( 8.8 cm)
Weight 67 grammes unpacked