Made for export, our pair of mid-19th century porcelain plates was produced in the dragon kilns of Jingdezhen, China’s historic “porcelain city.” The plates were then carried 500 miles on foot to the seaport city of Canton to be decorated and shipped in straw and camphor wood crates to Western markets. Variously called famille rose or rose Canton because of their predominant pink tones, this much-admired formal dinnerware was particularly popular among the well-to-do in New England and the Southern United States. Rose Canton ware came in four patterns: Sacred Birds and Flowers, Butterflies on Butterflies, Hundred Antiques and Rose Medallion, of which our plates are examples. Rose Medallion pieces typically feature a central gilt medallion surrounded by four melon slice reserves showing hand painted figures enjoying leisure time activities. Auspicious symbols such as the peony are also common. Many anonymous artists decorated Rose Canton and the quality of individual examples can vary greatly. Condition: Excellent. Dimensions. Diam. 9.5".