PAIR OF KANGXI BLUE & WHITE DEEP DISHES

China, c1690

 

 

 

Verso left showing rim fritting at about 8:30 o'clock.

 

 

Left example with minor rim fritting at 4 o'clock

 

 

Right Example showing several very minor usual rim frits

 

     

 

Close up of area of rim fritting to left example

 

Each of round foliate form, the center with a blooming prunus surrounded by two small border with a prunus spray,

and a ruyi head border, within two rows lotus petal panels depicting further blooms, fruit, and one panel of grasses,

the outer lotus border between Wanli diapering; verso with a conch within concentric circles and further prunus sprays

 

Condition: Excellent with expected Kangxi minor rim frits and several nicks to the footrims

 

Please note that variations of painting are characteristic of this period.

 

8.5” Diameter

 

 

#5859

 

 

In 1662, Emperor Kangxi of the new Manchu Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty assumed the throne.  Despite the kilns being destroyed

twice by the outgoing Ming Dynasty, his rule produced from 1682 to 1722 the finest blue and white ever produced, both

 technically and visually.  The ceramic became quite thin, with a glassy glaze, the blues even more like sapphires beneath it. 

Painting was free and precise at the same time.  To protect his wares from continued Ming destruction, he introduced a marking

we still see copied today - that of two concentric circles. These circles often contained a fantasy mark. 

The above has a conch fantasy mark - a symbol of the voice of Buddha, and the insignia of royalty