Chinese blue and white plate with shou character and precious objects – Fujian, 19th century

Chinese blue and white plate with shou character – South Chinese porcelain, 19th century

A Chinese blue and white plate with a round shou character in the centre, the Chinese symbol for longevity. Around it float precious objects on fluttering ribbons: a gourd vase, scroll paintings, a cup and a pearl, framed by a border of dots and scrolls. On the reverse two flowering branches and a two-character shop mark in blue, to be read as 元利 (Yuanli). This type of South Chinese provincial porcelain was made in Fujian (Dehua) in the 19th century; the plate still hangs in an old iron wire hanger.

Why we chose this piece

A plate carrying a wish for good fortune: the shou character and the precious objects together stand for a long and prosperous life. The bold, bright painting and the thick, bluish-white glaze give it lots of character, and thanks to the old hanger it can go straight on the wall.

Style and interior

Ready to hang: lovely in a wall composition with other blue and white porcelain, in a classic, colonial or eclectic interior, or above a sideboard.

Dimensions: Ø 17.9 cm, depth approx. 2.8 cm
Material: porcelain, underglaze blue; old iron wire hanger
Period: 19th century, c. 1800–1880 (Qing dynasty)
Origin: South China, Fujian (Dehua)
Mark: two-character shop mark, 元利
Condition: no chips, hairline cracks or restorations visible; light wear and small scratches in the glaze, a small brown spot on the inner rim (photo 1); small firing flaws and iron specks on the base. The rim under the four hooks of the wire hanger cannot be assessed.

Price:

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