A rare pair of Chinese famille rose 'Valentine pattern' plates, Qianlong, ca. 1750

Dia.: 23 cm

This plate features a simplified version of the well-known “Valentine” pattern. The original, more detailed scene—with palm and breadfruit trees—was likely drawn by Piercy Brett, official artist to Lord Anson during his West Indies voyages. A refined version was produced for Anson’s armorial service around 1743, and Brett’s illustrations later inspired engravings in Anson’s Voyages (1748). The design, once known as “Where is the Shepherd?”, remained popular for years. Variants appeared in underglaze blue with hounds, puppies, and Chinese-style shepherds in European dress beneath pine trees. 

Ref.: 
- Bonhams Skinner, Boston, March 2, 2014, lot 66 for an identical single plate. (sold USD 1.845,00) (link)
- See D.S. Howard: 'The Choice of the Private Trader: The Private Market in Chinese Export Porcelain Illustrated in the Hodroff Collection', 1994, p. 91, no. 79 for an identical example and a discussion about the pattern. 
- See Maria Antonia Pinto de Matos: 'The RA Collection of Chinese Ceramics: A Collector's Vision Vol. 2', 2011, p. 244/245, no. 330 for an identical pair of plates. 

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