In the decorative arts world, Chinese Export Porcelain has a long-standing scholarship. Even the Wikipedia article will give you a decent overview, and some suggested good articles/books for further research. Of course, one cannot become an expert connoisseur just from reading. Is the issue one of authenticity, or using the right words in the catalog description? If this is the sole example in your collection (nothing to compare it to), and if you have reason to doubt the donor's second-hand information, you might need to ask someone closer than NH to look at the plate and give you their assessment.
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The St. Mary's County Historical Society (MD) received a plate today that has been described as a Chinese export porcelain plate, c. 1800. The donor contacted Historic Deerfield and they supplied the following information:
The plate is decorated in "en grisaille" or gray colors/enamel washes. The border is very repetitive, which is expected from the neoclassicial style ceramics of the period. There is an unglazed foot rim - thus confirming Chinese origin.
We're trying to determine if any museums have further information on this type of Chinese porcelain. We want to be sure that we have a complete record of the type of plate for PastPerfect. Our Society home is in Tudor Hall, Leonardtown, MD. The building was begun in the mid-18th century by Abraham Barnes and later purchased by the Key family (first cousins to Francis Scott Key). It is on the National Register as well as the MD Inventory of Historic Properties.
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Susan Wolfe
Executive Director
St. Mary's County Historical Society
Leonardtown MD
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