Ming Dynasty Large Plate, Underglaze‑Blue Figure with Auspicious Characters Interior and Monochrome‑Blue Glaze Exterior (16th‑17th Century A.D.)

拍品描述

Dimensions：Diameter 22.1cm (8.70 in), Height 4.2cm (1.65 in), 16th‑17th Century A.D.Condition & Provenance：The large plate is fully intact. Minor age‑related wear is visible around the rim. The underglaze‑blue pigment retains rich, steady tone. The outer blue glaze is even and consistent. The exposed foot ring shows natural ancient rust‑red firing discoloration and soil patina. No cracks or chips, only subtle wear from long‑time usage. Provenance: Private collection, Dallas, Texas, USA. This piece was acquired by the collector at New York Asian Art Fair in 1992 and has been preserved within the same family collection ever since.Description：This is a fine large decorative porcelain plate dating to late Ming dynasty, an impressive everyday‑style display vessel full of folk‑art charm. It features wide open rim, shallow curved wall and short foot ring. The interior is painted in underglaze blue on white porcelain ground. At plate center, a narrative scene depicts a sage crossing the water, the scholar resting on gnarled old tree branch above rolling waves, surrounded by floating cloud scrolls and distant mountain motifs. Composition is well‑balanced, rendered with free‑flowing brushwork characteristic of Chinese folk painting. Six ruyi‑shaped cartouches along inner rim contain auspicious Chinese characters “Jin, Yu, Chang, Gui”, which symbolize gold and jade, long‑lasting wealth and honor, an extremely popular motif among common people in late Ming China. The whole exterior is covered with deep monochrome sapphire‑blue glaze with smooth mellow surface. Striking visual contrast exists between interior blue‑and‑white painting and solid deep outer glaze. Base reveals unglazed white‑toned sandy bottom, foot ring is roughly trimmed with dry‑textured body clay and typical firing rust‑red marks of the period. Folk kiln porcelain flourished greatly in late Ming. Painters frequently illustrated figure tales and lucky phrases to express ordinary people’s wishes for fortune and wellbeing. This plate cleverly combines narrative figure painting with propitious calligraphy and dual‑glaze design. The bold free brushwork and rich saturated blue glaze are well preserved. Remaining in great original condition, it serves as valuable reference artifact for studying late‑Ming folk aesthetics and ceramic technology, holding solid collecting and appreciative merit.

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