Scent bottle, c.1785 (jasper ware & gold)

The Macartney Embassy: Gifts Exchanged between George III and the Qianlong Emperor In addition to showcasing British technological and scientific achievement, George III had hoped that the Macartney Embassy might encourage an interest in British manufacturing in China. The eighteenth century had shown the profitability of selling British goods overseas to America and Europe, but the Asian market was unexplored. Wedgwood pottery, including examples of jasperware (as seen here) and Etruria and blue ware, was among the gifts displayed in the Great Hall of the Summer Palace outside Peking. This example in the Royal Collection, bearing George III’s portrait on one side and Queen Charlotte’s on the reverse, is indicative of the type of Wedgwood pottery sent to China. Circular Wedgwood jasperware scent bottle with gold hinged screw-on cover decorated with floral garlands and rosettes encircling a profile medallion head on one side, George III laureate looking to right and on other side Queen Charlotte looking left.