A PAIR OF CHINESE GILT-DECORATED BLUE AND WHITE 'BOTANICAL' PLATESC.1740After a design by Maria Sybille Merian, each painted with caterpillars and butterflies crawling on and flying amidst flag irises, all surrounded by scrolling foliate borders, 23.2cm. (2)Cf. J Harrison-Hall and R Krahl, Ancient Chinese Trade Ceramics from the British Museum, London, Ming and Qing Porcelain for the West, pp.186-7 for comparable examples of similar design in the collection of the British Museum in London.