What is the Kangxi lotus pattern in 18th-century English porcelain?

The Kangxi lotus pattern was created by British porcelain manufacturers, such as Worcester, during the eighteenth century, drawing inspiration from Chinese Kangxi period (16621722) import ceramics. These designs featured radiating lotus petal panels and central floral rosettes rendered in cobalt blue underglaze.

What materials were used to craft 18th-century Worcester porcelain?

Early Worcester porcelain, produced during the First Period (Dr Wall era), utilised a soft-paste porcelain body containing soapstone (steatite) sourced from Cornwall. This formulation allowed the ceramics to withstand temperature changes while providing a smooth, translucent surface for cobalt blue underglaze decoration.

How can authentic 18th-century Worcester plates be identified?

Authentic eighteenth-century Worcester porcelain often displays a subtle greenish or yellowish translucency when held to light due to the soapstone content. Underglaze cobalt blue decoration typically shows slight glaze shrinkage around the base rim, along with factory marks such as a crescent or painters mark on the underside.

How can an antique blue and white porcelain plate be incorporated into modern interiors?

A decorative blue and white plate can be styled on a plate stand within a modern bookshelf, displayed on a sideboard top alongside minimal brass accents, or mounted on a wall to introduce structural pattern and historical contrast.

How should antique porcelain plates be cleaned and preserved?

Clean antique soft-paste porcelain using warm water and a mild liquid soap applied with a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive sponges or harsh chemical solutions. Items should not be placed in dishwashers or left submerged in water to prevent moisture ingress into foot rims.

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Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

Name: Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1243016
Price: 495 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Oliver Sargent Antiques

Description

Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, c.1775–1785 | 18th-Century English Porcelain

Price: £495.00 – UK Shipping Included

A fine example of 18th-century English porcelain, this antique Worcester dessert plate is decorated in the intricate and highly distinctive Kangxi Lotus pattern, inspired by Chinese porcelain of the Kangxi period. Dating to circa 1775–1785, this elegant piece demonstrates the exceptional decorative skill and sophisticated use of blue and white ornament associated with early Worcester porcelain.

The plate was formerly in the collection of the Parham Park Trust, adding an interesting element to its provenance.

The Kangxi Lotus Pattern

Worcester’s complex Kangxi Lotus pattern is discussed by John Sandon in The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain: 1751–1851 (p. 213), where the design is described as a fairly exact reproduction of a Chinese porcelain pattern.

The decoration is arranged in concentric rings of intricate ornament centred on a small floral blossom. A circular blue-and-white band, reminiscent of woven brocade, surrounds the centre, followed by successive rings of stylised lotus petals. Each petal incorporates alternating decorative motifs, creating a richly layered composition of contrasting patterns and tones of blue.

The outer ring of scalloped lotus petals follows the contours of the plate, forming additional decorative compartments that complete this remarkably elaborate design. The result is a striking example of the fusion of Chinese-inspired decoration and the accomplished craftsmanship of 18th-century Worcester porcelain.

The reverse of the plate is decorated with floral sprays around the flange and bears the distinctive pseudo-Oriental Chinese-style Kite mark with trailing ribbons, a mark associated with this pattern.

Catalogue Details

• Manufacturer: Worcester Porcelain

• Object: Antique porcelain dessert plate

• Pattern: Kangxi Lotus

• Origin: Worcester, England

• Date: Circa 1775–1785

• Period: 18th-century Georgian porcelain

• Decoration: Elaborate blue-and-white Chinese-inspired lotus pattern

• Reverse: Floral sprays and pseudo-Oriental mark with trailing ribbons

• Mark: Imitation Chinese-style Kite mark to the base

• Diameter: 22.2 cm

• Condition: Fine with just 3 small foot rim chips

• Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Parham Park Trust

• Price: £495.00

• Delivery: UK shipping included in the price

An Important Addition to an Antique Porcelain Collection

This fine early Worcester plate is an appealing acquisition for collectors of antique Worcester porcelain, Georgian ceramics, 18th-century English porcelain and Chinese-inspired blue-and-white decorative wares. Its elaborate Kangxi Lotus decoration, distinctive reverse markings and documented former collection association make it an attractive piece for a specialist porcelain collection or an elegant display of historic ceramics.

A beautiful example of the enduring fascination with Chinese porcelain designs in 18th-century England, this Worcester Kangxi Lotus plate combines intricate decoration, historical interest and refined period craftsmanship.

Price: £495.00, inclusive of shipping within the United Kingdom.

You can find more items of interest and purchase through our website, using all major credit cards:

please visit: www.oliversargentantiques.com

Date of Manufacture

Oliver Sargent Antiques has dated this Worcester Porcelain Lotus Plate to the 18th Century.

Independent Date Check ID 09701112

Dealer's Item Date18th Century

Sellingantiques Date18th Century

Sellingantiques agingItem 240-260 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 18TH CENTURY:

Glaze wiped neatly from the inner foot rim: typical of first-period Worcester manufacture.

Soft-paste porcelain body with fine pinholing in the glaze: consistent with 18th-century firing.

Underglaze cobalt blue lotus decoration: cleanly defined work of the Dr Wall period.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1243016

Dealers Internal Reference

OSA1643

Description

Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, c.1775–1785 | 18th-Century English Porcelain

Price: £495.00 – UK Shipping Included

A fine example of 18th-century English porcelain, this antique Worcester dessert plate is decorated in the intricate and highly distinctive Kangxi Lotus pattern, inspired by Chinese porcelain of the Kangxi period.

“

Dating to circa 1775–1785, this elegant piece demonstrates the exceptional decorative skill and sophisticated use of blue and white ornament associated with early Worcester porcelain.

Oliver Sargent Antiques

fig 1. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 1. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

The plate was formerly in the collection of the Parham Park Trust, adding an interesting element to its provenance.

The Kangxi Lotus Pattern

Worcester’s complex Kangxi Lotus pattern is discussed by John Sandon in The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain: 1751–1851 (p. 213), where the design is described as a fairly exact reproduction of a Chinese porcelain pattern.

fig 2. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 2. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

The decoration is arranged in concentric rings of intricate ornament centred on a small floral blossom. A circular blue-and-white band, reminiscent of woven brocade, surrounds the centre, followed by successive rings of stylised lotus petals. Each petal incorporates alternating decorative motifs, creating a richly layered composition of contrasting patterns and tones of blue.

fig 3. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 3. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

The outer ring of scalloped lotus petals follows the contours of the plate, forming additional decorative compartments that complete this remarkably elaborate design. The result is a striking example of the fusion of Chinese-inspired decoration and the accomplished craftsmanship of 18th-century Worcester porcelain.

fig 4. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 4. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

The reverse of the plate is decorated with floral sprays around the flange and bears the distinctive pseudo-Oriental Chinese-style Kite mark with trailing ribbons, a mark associated with this pattern.

fig 5. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 5. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

Catalogue Details

• Manufacturer: Worcester Porcelain

• Object: Antique porcelain dessert plate

• Pattern: Kangxi Lotus

• Origin: Worcester, England

• Date: Circa 1775–1785

• Period: 18th-century Georgian porcelain

fig 6. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 6. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

• Decoration: Elaborate blue-and-white Chinese-inspired lotus pattern

• Reverse: Floral sprays and pseudo-Oriental mark with trailing ribbons

• Mark: Imitation Chinese-style Kite mark to the base

• Diameter: 22.2 cm

fig 7. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 7. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

• Condition: Fine with just 3 small foot rim chips

• Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Parham Park Trust

• Price: £495.00

• Delivery: UK shipping included in the price

An Important Addition to an Antique Porcelain Collection

fig 8. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 8. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

This fine early Worcester plate is an appealing acquisition for collectors of antique Worcester porcelain, Georgian ceramics, 18th-century English porcelain and Chinese-inspired blue-and-white decorative wares. Its elaborate Kangxi Lotus decoration, distinctive reverse markings and documented former collection association make it an attractive piece for a specialist porcelain collection or an elegant display of historic ceramics.

fig 9. An eighteenth-century circular porcelain plate with a scalloped edge, decorated in underglaze blue with radiating lotus panels and a central floral motif. — fig 9. Antique Worcester Porcelain Kangxi Lotus Pattern Plate, C.1775–1785 | 18th-century English Porcelain

A beautiful example of the enduring fascination with Chinese porcelain designs in 18th-century England, this Worcester Kangxi Lotus plate combines intricate decoration, historical interest and refined period craftsmanship.