Decorative

A FINE CHINESE RARE IMPERIAL YELLOW-ENAMELLED AND ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 19TH CENTURY from China, Guangxu Mark and Period (1875-1908), noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

A high-quality Imperial porcelain dish measuring 19.5cm in diameter. The interior features a central medallion with a vibrant, five-clawed yellow dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl, set against a rich cobalt-blue ground. The cavetto and exterior are further decorated with secondary ''walking'' dragons. The contrast between the translucent lemon-yellow enamel and the deep blue ground is exceptionally sharp and well-defined. The base bears a six-character underglaze-blue reign mark of Guangxu.\n\nSeveral key factors indicate this dish is of the period:\nBrushwork & Structure: The mark is executed in a confident, formal kaishu (regular script). Unlike the shaky or ''printed'' appearance of modern copies, these characters show the ''bony'' structure and varying brush pressure characteristic of late 19th-century Imperial kiln calligraphers.\nCobalt Characteristics: The blue of the mark shows a natural ''halo'' effect where the mineral pigment has slightly bled into the glaze during the high-temperature firing, a sign of genuine age.\nProvenance: The piece retains a collector''s label from the ''G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London,''\n\nCondition Report\nEnamels: Generally excellent; there is a small, localized area of enamel loss to the mane of the central dragon, which is common in pieces where the enamel is applied thickly over the glaze.\nBody: Structural condition is superb. No chips, cracks, or hairlines were detected under UV light or physical inspection.\nGlaze: The glaze shows a natural ''orange peel'' texture and a small number of ''iron spots'' (brown kiln speckles), both of which are standard firing characteristics of the Guangxu period.\n\nThis dish represents the peak of the ''Kangxi Revival'' period within the Imperial Kilns. Unlike the many apocryphal examples often found on the market, the present Dish features a superb, hand-painted reign mark consistent with the highest Imperial standards of the 1890s. The vibrant lemon-yellow dragons, a palette traditionally reserved for the Emperor's consorts, remain crisp and spirited against the deep cobalt ground. Retaining the prestigious G.S. May Esquire collection label, this is a significant piece for the serious scholar of Late Qing porcelain.

— Details

Reference

SA1204848

Origin

China, Guangxu Mark and Period (1875-1908)

Period

19TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 19.5cm

Rarity

High

Provenance

G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Condition

Excellent — see description