A RARE PRONK-STYLE 'PALMETTE-PATTERN' TEABOWL AND SAUCER Qianlong period, circa 1740 Boldly and unusually enameled in vivid opaque colors across the center of the saucer and exterior of the tea bowl with a single large purple classical acanthus-type leaf resembling a fleur-de-lys reserved on the yellow ground, the saucer also with a band of spearhead-tipped lappets descending from the thinly potted rim. the saucer: 4in (10cm) diam Footnotes: 乾隆時期 約1740年 粉彩普龍克風格《棕欖紋》茶杯及茶托 Although not directly attributable to Cornelis Pronk, elements of the design are found in the 'Arbour' pattern which is firmly attributed to him on the basis of surviving drawings. The rim of the 'Arbour' pattern has small palmettes on a ground similar to those on the present tea bowl and saucer, and the design on the back of the rim of 'Arbour'-decorated pieces is similar to the outer border here. The baroque decoration of symmetrical pseudo fleur-de-lis or seven-feather plume and the stylized lambrequin design at the border are also reminiscent of the output of the du Paquier factory in Vienna, whose designs were also copied on Chinese export porcelains. Interestingly, the unusual color scheme of yellow and mauve was another feature of 1730's du Paquier production. For an almost identical example, see Cohen & Cohen, Baroque and Roll, Antwerp, 2015, pp. 116-117, no. 173. References: Le Corbeiller, 1974, no. 25, 59, ten pieces from this service; Mottahedeh Collection, illustrated by Howard & Ayers, 1978, no. 296, p. 302, a tea bowl and saucer; Williamson, 1970, plate XVIII, several pieces; Shimizu & Chabane, 2003, no. 159, p. 208, a milk jug and saucer; Jörg, 1989, p. 154, a teapot; The Peabody Essex Museum, Sargent, 2012, p. 290, for a cup with distinctive shape and a thorough compilation of other recorded examples.