1039 - Rare Chinese Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period Grisaille Export Plate, c.1745, of circular form, painted with a portrait of Martin Luther flanked by two cherubs with feathered bodies, above a cartouche depicting Christ preaching to eleven apostles, with elaborate border of reserves of animals surrounded by scroll work, diameter 22cm Catalogue Note: Martin Luther (1483-1546), one of the most influential religious leaders in history, is generally credited with initiating the Protestant Reformation in 1517 with the publication of his Ninety-Five Theses. The central design was taken from an engraving by the Dutch artist Frans Brun (active 1627-1648) that was published in Dutch Lutheran Bible in 1648. There are at least three different borders recorded for this well documented plate. David Howard hypothesizes that it was intended to commemorate the bicentennial of Luthers death. Reference: David Sanctuary Howard and John Ayers, 'China for the West: Chinese Porcelain & Other Decorative Arts for Export Illustrated from the Mottahedeh Collection', New York and London: Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1978) Vol. I, p.254.