Famille rose teacup and saucer

From Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, southern China
Qing dynasty, about AD 1729-30

Porcelain made for the Dutch East India Company

The design on this teacup and saucer is composed of a crowned coat of arms supported by two crowned lions, below which is the monogram VOC. The arms and motto belong to the Dutch Republic. The VOC monogram is that of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie), which was hugely important to Asian trade with Europe at this time. So important, in fact, that the company issued its own coinage for use in the Far East.

Encircling the design is the date 1728 and the Latin motto CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT ('Small things grow great in unity'). The design on the cup and saucer has been accurately copied from one side of a silver coin struck in 1728.

The pieces are good examples of the fine porcelains decorated in the bright colours of the famille rose pallette.

R. Krahl and J. Harrison-Hall, Ancient Chinese trade ceramics (National Museum of History, ROC, 1994)

S.J. Vainker, Chinese pottery and porcelain, (London, The British Museum Press, 1991)