The Famille Rose palette (the term was coined by the French art historian Albert Jacquemart, 1808 – 1875, who produced a classification system for Chinese porcelains) with its emphasis on pink colourings was introduced during the Yongzheng period (1723-1735) and used prolifically by the decorators of Chinese ceramics during the eighteenth century, being found in a variety of styles on vases, jardinieres and tablewares. The format of the decoration here shows the pattern at its best and unusually repeats the front design on the reverse with the cover matching this. More usually the main design simply trails round to the back with near blank space between the two meeting floral branches. The form, too, is not often found and is more likely to have been conceived as an independent object, perhaps one of an original pair, rather than as a component of a dinner service. In a sense it is a ‘first cousin’ to the well known ginger jar shape, examples of which can carry near identical decoration. Surviving in near perfect condition it would be a fine addition to a collection of Chinese eighteenth century export ware as well as a highly attractive decorative object in its own right.

The potiche is sold with a later Chinese wood stand, probably dating to the late nineteenth century, which is an added enhancement.