A RARE ‘LADY PLAYING THE QIN’ BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN TRAY, 18TH-19TH CENTURYChina, 1700-1850. Of rectangular form, finely painted in shades of cobalt blue to the interior with a lady dressed in voluminous robes playing the qin, her hair arranged in an elaborate coiffure, the interior sides with a double line border, the exterior with a wide key-fret band, covered overall in a transparent glaze, save for two unglazed concentric rectangular foot rims.Provenance: English trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities, and light surface scratches.Weight: 697.2 gDimensions: Length 23.2 cmThe subject of a Manchu court ladyplaying a qin evokes culture, taste, refinement, and scholarly aplishment – all characteristics male scholars would also strive to possess. The present depiction is quite unusual in that it portrays the lady from behind, making this a rare variation of a popular subject.十八至十九世紀罕見青花仕女彈琴托盤中國，1700-1850年。長方形，盤內青花精美繪製一位身著寬大衣袍的仕女在彈琴。她的頭髮梳成精緻的髮髻。内壁兩道青花紋。外壁青花雷紋，長方圈足未上釉。