Hot water plate
China
1820-1850
Measurements
2 in x 10 in x 8-5/8 in
Materials
Underglaze blue decorated porcelain
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation
Accession Number
1965.125
Provenance
Purchased from antiques dealer George Thomas of McDonough, Delaware.
Comments
This octagonal hot water plate is a Western form made for export to that market. It is made of two plate-like parts that, when seamed together, produce a well inside that can be filled with hot water to keep food warm. The plate has a with filling and emptying spout at one side and a projecting handle of similar size opposite. The complex image in the plate well appears to be an early example of Canton decoration. It displays the usual two Chinese buildings on the right, a body of water with boats, a bridge over water in the foreground, more buildings in the left background, and two mountain formations in the distance. Birds fly in the sky. The sidewalls of the hot water plate are also decorated with abstracted foliation, perhaps water lilies.
