QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1740

In 1734 the Dutch East India Co. ('VOC') commissioned well-known artist Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759) to design patterns to be made in Chinese porcelain. Four official designs were made, the porcelain produced for several seasons before 1740, most patterns made in several color palettes as well as different forms, from small vases to garnitures, large basins and dinner services. Each design reflected a romantic European vision of Chinese life.