Page 243 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1972.43.43 (C-598)
Dish

Qing dynasty, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735)
Porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze doucai
3
5
enamel decoration, 4.1 x 21.2 (i /s x 8 /s)
Harry G. Steele Collection, Gift of Grace C. Steele
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed in standard script on the base in underglaze blue in
two columns of three characters each: Da Qing Yongzheng nian
zhi [made in the Yongzheng reign of the great Qing dynasty]

TECHNICAL NOTES
There is a chip in the foot-ring.
PROVENANCE
(Yamanaka, Chicago); sold to Harry G. Steele [1881-1941],
Pasadena; his widow, Grace C. Steele.

HIS DISH is FINELY POTTED and has a smoothly beveled
Tfoot-ring. The base is recessed and glazed. The decora-
tion is executed in the style known as doucai ("colors put
[or fit] together"; "joined colors"; or "dove-tailed colors").
The scene on the interior medallion depicts a Daoist par-
adise island in the Eastern Sea. The elaborate palace on the
island is surrounded by swirling clouds and rolling waves.
Above are two flying cranes, symbols of longevity. In the
foreground, floating on a cloud, are the Daoist deities
known as the Three Stars: the Gods of Longevity,
Happiness, and Emolument. Behind these figures, on
another cloud, is a female deity with an attendant; this may
represent Ma Gu, a popular Daoist immortal.
The exterior is painted with rolling waves, ornamental
Taihu rocks, and bats—symbols of good fortune—
among clouds. The quality of the painting is commensu-
rate with the finest porcelains of the Yongzheng reign,
considered by many traditional Chinese connoisseurs to
be the most refined period of ceramic production in the
Qing dynasty.
There is a nearly identical dish in the Cleveland
Museum of Art. 1
foot-ring and reignmark SL
on base of 1972.43.43
NOTES
i. Little 1988, no. 18.

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