Chinese Porcelain

A FINE CHINESE CORAL-ORANGE GROUND 'FAMILLE ROSE' ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 19TH CENTURY from Guangxu Mark and of the Period (1875--1908) Circa 1890 - 1900, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

A vibrant and exquisitely decorated porcelain dish featuring the auspicious 'Wan Shou Wu Jiang' (Boundless Longevity) pattern. The interior is finished in a saturated coral-orange ground, decorated with four gilded medallions containing the characters Wan, Shou, Wu, and Jiang. These surround a central stylized Shou (longevity) medallion, all set against a dense lotus scroll in a famille rose palette.\n\nThe Reverse: Decorated with three finely painted floral sprays in underglaze blue and enamels.\n\nThe Base: Bears a crisp, six-character mark in underglaze blue: "Da Qing Guangxu Nian Zhi."\n\nCondition Report:\nPhysical: Good condition; no chips, no cracks, and no repairs.\nResonance: The dish is highly sonorous with a clear, high-pitched ring when tapped.\nUV Light: Inspected and verified clean under UV light, confirming no hidden restoration or overpainting.\n\nHistorical Significance: The Empress Dowager Cixi\nThe vibrant 'Wan Shou Wu Jiang' (Boundless Longevity) pattern is historically synonymous with the Empress Dowager Cixi, the most powerful woman in late Imperial China. During the Guangxu reign, Cixi effectively ruled the empire, and these specific coral-ground birthday wares were commissioned for her grand 60th and 70th birthday jubilees (1894 and 1904). The four gilded characters on the dish represent a formal Imperial prayer for her eternal life. Wares of this quality were manufactured under strict supervision at the Imperial Kilns in Jingdezhen to meet the exacting standards of the Palace.

— Details

Reference

SA1204847

Origin

Guangxu Mark and of the Period (1875--1908) Circa 1890 - 1900

Period

19TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 21cm

Provenance

Retains an original collector's label to the base: ''The G.S. May Esquire Private Collection, London'' (Reference No. 615).

Condition

Excellent — see description