A Chinese Dutch-decorated bowl c.1730-50

A Chinese Dutch-decorated bowl c.1730-50, originally with narrow hatched borders in underglaze blue around a band of anhua decoration, painted in Holland with two head and shoulders portraits of William IV and Anne of Hanover surrounded by orange trees, a banner with the word 'vreede', meaning peace, between them, the interior decorated in red and green with a large spray of Oriental flowers to the well, further small sprays and a stylized scrolled rim to the inside walls, 15cm dia.

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no. 825. Purchased at Sotheby's, Amsterdam in November 2000.

William married Anne in 1734, so the Dutch decoration on this bowl is likely to date from after 1735. The portraits are believed to derive from mezzotints by J. Faber, copying earlier paintings. The portrait of Anne is believed to derive from a painting by Philip Mercier, who included the diamond necklace she wears as a present from her groom; the one of William could derive from either Jakob Schalken or Philips Van Dyk.