16C Jiajing Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Charger Cranes Flowers Antique
无货
Condition Report: Overall Condition; Rimfritting, chip and hairline . Size: 302mm x 57mm approx.
Large and very nice Blue and White Charger/Dish from the Jiajing Period.
Dish on footring, decorated in underglaze blue. In the centre a circle containing a flower and leafs. Around the centre a small band with diaper pattern. On the outside a continuous pattern of lotus, flowers and crane. On the base the four character mark Da Ming nian Zao (made during the great Ming)
This type of dish, with undecorated sides and flowing, somewhat ‘fatty’ glaze and greyish blue colour characterizes export produce during the reign of Emperor Jiajing (1522-1566)
Symbolism
Crane
The graceful crane is a common emblem in paintings. The five birds: crane, phoenix, mandarin duck, heron and wagtail represent the five Confucian relationships; in this case the crane stands for the key deference of son to father. Two cranes flying towards the sun represent ambition. A crane among clouds represent nobility; a pair of cranes represent a wish for long married life while a crane in pine trees a wish for a long life together.
Emblem of rank: Civil Official 1st rank.
Source: Stallard, R. Chinasage: All about China. Retrieved from the Chinasage website