The following paper is based on the non-destructive analysis of a Chinese porcelain plate decorated with overglaze enamels, and a Chinese enamelled copper plate decorated with painted enamels in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Both objects date from early Qing dynasty, and are associated with the Yongzheng (1723-1735) and early Qianlong (1735-1796) periods. These objects have been used in the past by art historians to demonstrate the relationship between the two artistic traditions because of the similarity in their decoration. The aim of this research is to test the hypothesis put forward by these scholars through scientific analysis of the enamel compositions. Ten enamel colours and the gilding on each plate were analysed with micro-X-Ray fluorescence. The results reveal distinct parallels between the enamels used to decorate the two objects, while also distinguishing them from other enamelling traditions
