Polychrome wares other since 1722

Object 2010C239

Dish

China

1710-1730

Height 50 mm (1.97 inch), diameter of rim 300 mm (11.81 inch), diameter of footring 170 mm (6.69 inch), weight 858 grams (30.27 ounce (oz.))

Dish on footring with a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue and famille verte enamels, iron-red, black enamel and gold with a flowering tree in a central roundel surrounded by a spearhead border. On the sides four cartouches filled with flowering plants and flanked by half flower heads reserved on a stylized leafy ground with single flower heads On the rim four groups of flowering chrysanthemum and lotus plants amongst a stylized depicting of water. On the reverse two peony flower sprays.

Tree-worship was widely spread throughout China in ancient times, as is evidenced for a long time by the reluctance of the people to cut down trees in the neighbourhood of temples and graves. Often, the shrine of a local god was placed at the roots or in the fork of a tree remarkable for its size and beauty. It was believed that the soul of the god resides in the tree, which is therefore held to be sacred. If dug up or cut down, the person doing so was liable to die. There are many references in Chinese literature to trees that bleed and utter cries of pain or indignation when hewed down. A strip of red cloth or paper is often attached to a tree in order to keep it safe from the spirits of evil, who always avoid that particular colour of happiness and good fortune. (Williams 1976, pp.407-408)

Condition: A Y-shaped hairline to the rim and a frit and two fleabites to the footring.

References:

Williams 1976, pp.407-408

Sargent 2012, p.183

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