first three groups. The same author further raises the question as to how the commissions were
distributed among the workshops and whether the barber’s bowls were commissioned through
intermediaries or trade associations separate from those who commissioned the dishes, the latter being
linked commercially with other porcelain makers.
The first group of dishes is divided into three sub-groups according to size and the second and
third comprise large dishes of various diameters. The decoration of the dishes in groups 1 and 2 consists
of underglaze blue combined with
famille verte
enamels, while group 3 already features the lilac-rose
enamel typical of the early
famille rose
palette.
Since this enamel was introduced to the Jingdezhen workshops in the early 1720s, group 3 dishes
and group 5 bowls (which feature a similar pink enamel) are dateable to around 1720-1730.
Notwithstanding the advances in investigation, this mysterious group still lacks in-depth research
and reflection.
304 .
ARMORIAL CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN
Figure 105. Detail of cat. 541,
inv. no. 534.
Figure 106. Detail of cat. 542,
inv. no. 600.