Antique 19th Century Chinese Export Famille Rose Canton Saucer Dish | Birds, Butterflies & Peonies

A Garden Scene in Miniature — Canton Famille Rose at Its Most Charming

Canton porcelain — the export ware produced for Western markets in Guangdong province throughout the 19th century — is immediately recognisable by its densely hand-painted decoration: overflowing peonies, exotic birds, fluttering butterflies, and lush foliage rendered in the soft polychrome palette of Famille Rose enamel. Every centimetre of the surface is alive with detail, painted by skilled decorators who could fill a saucer dish with a complete naturalistic scene.

This pair of saucer dishes offers two compositions within the same tradition. Variant A features a lively arrangement of multiple birds in flight among chrysanthemums, peonies, and spotted butterflies — a more complex, animated composition with a plain gilt rim. Variant B presents a single elegant songbird at centre, surrounded by full-blown peonies and diverse butterflies, with a warm ochre-gilt banded rim that frames the scene with quiet authority.

Either dish works beautifully displayed on a small stand, used as a ring or trinket dish, or grouped with other Canton pieces in a collector's arrangement. Both are antique originals, not reproductions.

Available Variants

• Option A — Multi-bird composition with chrysanthemums, spotted butterflies & plain gilt rim
• Option B — Single songbird with full peonies, butterflies & ochre-gilt banded rim

Details

• Origin: Chinese Export (Canton), 19th century
• Style: Famille Rose polychrome enamel
• Each dish sold individually — price is per piece

Condition

Antique — age-consistent wear may be present. Please refer to images for full condition detail per variant.

About The British Antiques Company

Specialists in fine British and Asian ceramics, sourced with expertise and shipped securely worldwide.