Estimate

800 - 1.200

Session 1

15 October 2025

Hammer Price

Description

Chinese export porcelain
Decorated in grisaille and gilt, the centre with an oval medallion and rectangular cartouche containing the bust of Saint Simon the Apostle, identified by the inscription "S. SYMON" and the saw, attribute of his martyrdom
The border decorated with continuous 'du Paquier' style ornament of scrollwork and flowers in grisaille and gilt, and a small oval medallion at the bottom depicting the Dove of the Holy Spirit surmounted by the radiant divine eye
Qianlong period, c. 1745

Diam.: 23 cm

Additional Information

Chinese export porcelain dishes depicting Saint Simon the Apostle form part of a rare series of twelve examples, each dedicated to one of the Apostles (except Judas) and Saint John the Baptist. Executed around 1740, the series was probably inspired by European devotional engravings, likely of Jesuit origin. According to Hervouët et al., in La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes à Décor Occidental, only ten different representations are currently known, missing those of Saint John and Saint James the Less. All pieces feature 'du Paquier' style borders and a lower medallion with the dove of the Holy Spirit and the radiant divine eye. Among the known variants is the occasional introduction of polychrome enamels, as in the Metropolitan Museum (New York) example depicting Saint Philip, and in two dishes from the Renato Albuquerque Collection, with Saint Andrew and Saint Bartholomew. In the international market, these examples appear only sporadically, being considered extremely rare.

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