Premiere ME 217 Canton Fair Dinner Plate

The item is a Premiere ME 217 dinner plate, likely of Canton Fair origins given the provided context. It is made of white porcelain, featuring a decorative design in blue, yellow, red, and green. The plate has a scalloped rim with a prominent blue border adorned with ornate yellow scrollwork. Inside this border is a thinner orange line. The central area of the plate is decorated with a floral motif depicting chrysanthemums and smaller blooms in shades of red, yellow, and hints of pink, with green and blue foliage. The design is arranged in a stylized, somewhat asymmetrical bush-like form. A delicate orange line with a scalloped edge circles the central well of the plate, framing the floral arrangement. The colors are vibrant and the design appears to be applied as an underglaze or possibly a mixture of underglaze and overglaze elements, allowing for a smooth finish. The plate appears to be in good to excellent condition with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear. The gilding, if any, on the rim appears intact based on the image. The quality of the porcelain and the detail in the transferware or hand-painted decoration suggest a mid-range to higher quality export ware, typical of items presented at historical trade fairs like the Canton Fair.

Upon examining the images of the Premiere ME 217 dinner plate, my assessment is that it presents as a fine example of mid-20th century export porcelain, likely produced in Japan and marketed towards the American consumer. The pattern, ME 217, features a vibrant, multi-color floral center with a striking blue and yellow scrollwork border, consistent with designs popular in the post-war era. The plate appears to be in excellent condition, showing no visible chips, cracks, or crazing. The colors are bright and the glaze appears intact, which is crucial for its value. The 'Canton Fair' association is likely a marketing term used by Premiere rather than an indication of antique Chinese origin from the historic Canton Fairs. The Premiere brand itself was a trade name for various Japanese potteries. The market for this specific pattern is relatively modest. While well-made, it was mass-produced for the general market. Current demand is driven primarily by collectors seeking to replace pieces in an existing set rather than by high-end antique collectors. Individual dinner plates from this and similar Premiere patterns typically sell at accessible prices. A key factor limiting the value is its mass-produced nature and relatively recent origin compared to antique porcelain. For a definitive authentication, a physical examination would be necessary to inspect the backstamp, check for any maker's marks, and feel the weight and quality of the porcelain firsthand, which cannot be fully gauged from images alone. However, based on the provided visual evidence and market comparables for Premiere china, my valuation is confident.