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"The Doctors" plate
Designed by: Cornelis Pronk (Dutch, 1691–1759)
Chinese for export
about 1740
Medium/Technique
Porcelain with overglaze enamels
Dimensions
10 1/8 in (25.7 cm) diameter
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. William A. Viall III in memory of Gretchen E. Viall
Accession Number2016.565
DescriptionRichly enamelled with a sceneknown as "The Four Doctors' Visit," showing three seated and one standing man in a garden, a blue and white dish on the table before them and a peacock perched behind. The border has six reserves decorated with fish and waterbirds between them. The reserves and framed by green fishscale and set against a gilt diaper ground. The subject of the central scene is traditionally identified as "The Visit to the Emperor by his Physicians."
ProvenanceHenry Moog, Jr. (dealer), Atlanta, GA. January 23-24, 2002, anonymous sale (sale 1008), Christie’s, New York, lot 71, sold to Gretchen E. Viall (b. 1931 - d. 2016), Providence, RI; by inheritance to her son, William A. Viall III, Providence; 2016, gift of William A. Viall to the MFA. (Accession Date: November 9, 2016)