A Rare Chinese Black Enameled and Famille Rose Porcelain Circular 'Portrait' Plaque

EARLY 20TH CENTURY

of circular form, enameled in gentle pink, green, and yellow tones to comprise a dense 'millefleur' ground enclosing a star-form reserve worked with a photorealistic portrait of Xu Lai 徐来 clad in an embroidered silk robe, wearing a single drop earring and finger-wave hairstyle against a start black background.

The Shanghai born Xu Lai (1909-1973) was an actress, socialite, and later spy. Despite her short-lived film career, she became known for her delicate face as 'The Standard of Beauty'.

Plaque diameter 8 3/4 in., 22.2 cm.

Property from a Prominent Chicago Collection

In overall good stable condition with some flaking to the rim. Together with a green silk box. Additional images available upon request.

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Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

anniewu@freemansauction.com 312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

Flora Zhang

Specialist, Asian Works of Art

florazhang@freemansauction.com 312.447.3290

Megan Sadler

Associate Specialist, Asian Works of Art

megansadler@hindmanauctions.com 312.600.6066

Asian Works of Art Online

A Rare Chinese Black Enameled and Famille Rose Porcelain Circular 'Portrait' Plaque

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