Small Chinese blue and white dish with spiral lotus decoration – Fujian, c. 1790–1850

Small Chinese blue and white dish with spiral motif – South Chinese export porcelain

A small Chinese blue and white dish with the characteristic spiral lotus decoration: a blue spiral at the centre, surrounded by outlined lotus petals with lingzhi fungi and sprigs, loosely painted with the brush. It is South Chinese provincial porcelain from Fujian, made for the South-East Asian market. Exactly this decoration is known from the shipwreck cargoes of the Diana (1817) and the Tek Sing (1822); this dish is of that type, but cannot be shown to come from a wreck.

Why we chose this piece

We fall for the free, quick brushwork of this everyday Chinese utilitarian porcelain: the spiral, the soft blue-green glaze and the unglazed foot ring with iron-red specks tell the whole story of the handcrafted export ware of around 1800.

Style and interior

Lovely as a study piece or collector’s item, in a display cabinet, on a bookshelf or in a wall arrangement with other blue and white. Suits a classic, country or wabi-sabi interior.

Condition

This dish shows clear signs of use and damage: two rim chips (photos 1 and 2) and two hairline cracks from the rim, visible in the wall (photo 3, left and right, also visible in photo 5 top right). In addition a firing flaw/glaze pit in the centre and iron spots, normal for this type. No restorations seen. Priced according to condition.

Dimensions: Ø 14.3 cm, height approx. 2.8 cm
Material: porcelain, underglaze blue
Period: c. 1790–1850 (Qing dynasty)
Origin: South China, Fujian
Condition: two rim chips and two hairline cracks from the rim; firing flaw in the centre; iron spots; no restorations visible

Price:

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