Two Chinese doucai South Sea Bubble plates, Kangxi

Full title: Two Chinese doucai 'South Sea Bubble' plates, Kangxi Description: Dia.: 21 cm Both painted with a Commedia dell'Arte figure, the one on the left bearing the inscription 'Schyt Actien en wind-handel' (Crap shares and swindle), the one on the right 'Weg Gekke Actionisten' (Away with the crazy speculants). Ref.: - D. Howard and J. Ayers, China for the West, London 1978, Vol. I, pp. 234-235, for a discussion of this type of plates. The pattern and inscription satirize the financial speculation disaster in 1720 which started in England with the South Sea Company, and spread to France and Holland. The economic bubble is described and illustrated in the contemporary source 'Het groote tafereel der dwaasheid, vertoonende de opkomst, voortgang en ondergang der actie, bubbel en windnegotie, in Vrankryk, Engeland en de Nederlanden, gepleegt in den jaar MDCCXX' (The great scene of madness, ....) of 1720. - Sotheby's, Amsterdam, March 14, 2011, for a set of four from the collection of Queen Juliana of The Netherlands. (sold EUR 35.550) (direct link available on rm-auctions.com) - Christie's, Amsterdam, April 16, 2002, for a complete set of six plates. (sold EUR 111.250) (direct link available on rm-auctions.com) Condition: The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is in perfect condition. Condition reports are provided on request. They will be made available, together with additional images, on our website at www.rm-auctions.com. Condition reports are given as a service, we can not be held liable for errors in such a report. The full list of condition reports for this sale is available on the following URL: https://www.rm-auctions.com/en/condition-report/75 Further questions are always welcome at [email protected]