Sold Ceramics - Sold Red & Gold / Rouge-de-Fer 1690-1730 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares -

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Object 2012008

The central pattern on this small saucer resembles a European coat-of-arms. It shows the Yin-Yang symbol of the Daoist philosophy, which teaches the unification of two opposing energies and is a symbol of the 'Highest Principle' (Taiji), signifying the 'Source of the World'. It is framed by two pairs of winged cherubs each holding a crown above a teapot. The composition of symbols is to be understood as an allegory representing tea - tea as the king of beverages, containing the essence of the Highest Principle. As yet no other object wih this motif is known and was possibly commissioned by a tea trader. (Suebsman 2019, p.57, cat. 17)