China for the West. Chinese Porcelain & other Decorative Arts for Export illustrated from the Mottahedeh Collection. 2 Vols

London, New York: Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1978. First edition. Hardcover. Near fine condition. Folio. 350, 351-698pp. Original marine blue cloth with with vignette in circular frame on cover, gilt lettering on spines, in original color-illustrated dustjackets, with blue lettering on spine, housed in gray cloth slipcase with gilt vignettes printed to blue background on covers. Top edges gilt. Gray endpapers. Illustrated double title pages printed in blue and black. Foreword and preface adorned with b/w vignettes. The volumes are profusely illustrated with striking color and b/w reproductions of Chinese porcelain throughout. Contains extensive bibliography and index at rear of volume two.

"This book aims to provide the most detailed and penetrating analysis yet made of the porcelains produced for Western markets during these centuries: examining in its seven hundred pages and as many illustrations (one hundred of them in color) all their many-sided attractions. The often unusual forms of the porcelains, their decorative styles and traditions, the endlessly varying subjects that they portray – and above all the continuous interchange in such themes between the Chinese manufacturers and decorators and their distant clients in the West, by means of the historic trading companies – all these are studied and interpreted more fully, and tabulated more practically for reference than ever before. The work also examines other export goods – painted enamels, carvings in ivory or soapstone, and reverse paintings on glass, to name only a few – which are represented by notable pieces. (Publisher). Slipcase with light brown streak at bottom front cover. (Inventory #: 54559)