This rare cold-painted blanc de Chine group shows the lady figure depicted in layered robes with her right arm raised, seemingly in protestation, while the male figure has both his arms around her. Extensive remains of cold paint can be seen, with red used to embellish the lips, robes and shoe of the figures, and black for their hair. Figures constitute an important part of the output at the Dehua kilns in Fujian but this subject of an embracing couple is seldom seen. Blanc de Chine porcelain with additional enamels applied on the white-glazed surface are quite hard to come by. This was probably the work of a European enameller, and highlights how Chinese porcelain was adapted to suit European taste and demands. Blanc de Chine wares were highly popular in the West, where they were collected by the wealthy and closely copied at European porcelain factories.
