THREE LARGE CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE BOTANICAL PLATES AFTER A DESIGN BY MARIA SYBILLE MERIAN18TH CENTURYPainted in underglaze blue and gilt with floral sprays to the centres within stylised chain borders, the cavettos with a thick border of acanthus leaves and gilt flowerheads, 38cm. (3)Provenance: from the collection of Hugh, 5th Earl Annesley (1831-1908) and thence by descent.Cf. J Harrison-Hall, R Krahl, Ancient Chinese Trade Ceramics from the British Museum, London. Ming and Qing Porcelain for the West, pp.186-187 for comparable examples of similar design in the collection of the British Museum in London.