FOUR RARE CHINESE PORCELAIN PLAQUES PAINTED BY BI BOTAO (1885-1961). PROVENANCE: Estate of Li Shuying, Alabama USA. She was born in 1906, classmate of the daughter of Chen Shuren who was a famous politition and painter in the early 20th century. Her mother was awarded for helping the Xinhai Revolution (1911), which overthrew Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China. Each plaque is delicately famille-rose enamelled to depict seasonal flowers and birds. One with composite spring floral blooms borne on foliage against pink and yellow; one with two swallows facing each other perching on a willow tree branch; one with a bird perched on autumn lush tree surrounded by chrysanthemum and the last one is a prunus tree with gnarled branches bearing yellow floral with two oriental magpie birds. All four plaques have an inscription incorporating the renowned artist of the period, Bi Botao, and a cyclical date year. 81 x 21 cm