Famille Verte

This graceful design, with its leaves, berries and butterflies, was inspired by a piece of Chinese imperial palace porcelain of the early 18th century. At a time when porcelain was valued for its rarity, highly prized examples found their way to Europe and into the hands of passionate collectors. Often fitted with mounts of precious metal, they became the treasures of kings and princes. One such was Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, who owned the small bowl which was the inspiration for this beautiful pattern. Much porcelain produced in China during the reign of the Kang His emperor (1662-1722) had "famille verte" decoration - painted in transparent enamels predominantly in shades of green. Mottahedeh has artfully adapted the decoration from the original antique and applied it to the varied and elegant forms of authentic 18th century export porcelain.