The round deep dish painted in famille verte enamels heightened with grisaille and gilt,

the center depicting a phoenix above peony spray within a double line roundel

and deep cavetto with floral sprays headed by a further double line,

the flat rim with trellis diapering in famille verte and iron red punctuated with half flowerheads,

the diapering with ovals reserves of fish and shrimp;
the whole possibly referring to sky and water;
the verso with iron red diapered edge decoration above three blooming prunus sprays;

the center with blue concentric circles;

brown dressed rim

Although made in China, with Chinese symbols as decoration,

these plates were most likely made for the late 17th century 'European market'.

It is interesting to note the overlapping of iconic symbolism.

To European Christians, the iconography might read :

'The Garden' - The Madonna

'Phoenix' - Resurrection, Faith, Constancy

'Fish' (in the rim reserves) - Ichthys

verso 'Prunus (Cherry) Sprays' - Fruits of Paradise

Condition : Excellent; tiny in-filled rim nick; normal footrim wear;

slight expected wear to gilt

9.5" Diameter

 
SOLD 

#7408

Please Inquire

For The Ceramics Page, Please Click Here