A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated bowl 1st half 18th century

A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated bowl 1st half 18th century, originally decorated with a wide anhua band within narrow hatched borders in underglaze blue, later enamelled in Holland with custom house scenes, of a figure standing outside the weigh-house or waag with grand staircase in Amsterdam, the reverse with two figures weighing a barrel, within oval panels of red and green flower sprays, the interior with further similar sprays of peony and small flying insects, 15cm.

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no.935. Purchased from Robert McPherson, June 2012.

The Dutch system of excise, which had existed since 1574, was abolished in 1747 amidst increasing unrest towards the Republic. However, it was soon reintroduced, in 1750, but taxes were now collected by state fiscal officers. As this bowl was decorated around that time, it possibly shows the changes to Dutch excise laws. In the Amsterdam Museum, formerly the Historical Museum, there is a set of 36 Chinese plates decorated in Holland c.1775 with views of Amsterdam dating from the first half of the 18th century. The same weigh-house, entitled 'De wagg op de Dam' is depicted on one of the plates. Illustrated: Hervouet et Bruneau, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes à Décor occidental, p.392, pl.16.94.