Plaque with a Chinoiserie landscape and gilt details, 1680 anonymous
This rectangular faience plaque is adorned with a captivating scene in blue and gold on a white tin glaze, bringing to life a chinoiserie landscape. The tableau unfolds in a vast riverside setting, where a group of Chinese figures gather around a table watching mice and rats dance. Two men in the center thrust their swords into an upside-down wicker basket. Nearby, a man balances on one leg atop a bamboo pole held by another man. A crowned man with a spear over his shoulder stands behind him. To the right, there's a dog and several boats filled with people, while two figures ascend a rising path at the far right. In the foreground, large leaves and birds add to the scene's vibrancy. On the left, a walled city with pagodas punctuates the panorama.
