A very rare set of 3 encre de chine plates, with a Christian theme. The birth, cruxifiction & resurection of Jesus. The decoration is after an engravings by the Dutch artist Jan Luyken (1649-1712). The plates were made in ca 1740. This is a complete set and is hard to find. There is a fourth plate with Ascension, but that one is only known in polychrome. So not part of this set. Very interesting is to notice the Chinese features given to the people in the painting. Most Chinese painters had never seen Europeans. Also notice the “boobs” on Jesus on the cross. It is speculated this came to happen because on the rare occasion Europeans were seen, theey where rich merchants that were well “fed”.