Two rare rouge-de-fer 'European Subject' dishes, Qing dynasty, 1720's.

Made for the Dutch market. The commedia dell'Arte figures depicted on the plates, had as a main characteristic a largely unscripted dialogue during the time that it flourished from 1550-1750. They relied on sarcasm, wit and slapstick, with antics and buffoonery to give their message and raise laughs.

These plates are a version of the ones with texts that are criticizing or making fun of the social and financial history of the time.

In 1719 Commedia dell'Arte reached a peak of popularity with its important role at the entertainments in Dresden for the marriage of Frederick Augustus (later II) to Archduchess Maria Josepha, daughter of the Kaiser. It is no coincidence that they are depicted on porcelain in the 1720's on account of the many drawing and engravings of them that circulated at the time.

Howard, David and Ayers, John: China for the West: Vol I, page 234-235.