Dish
Chinese
Description
Subject Matter:
This is a Longquan celadon dish of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the interior incised with a peony spray. Peonies are associated with wealth, imperial splendor, and the erotic appeal of a beautiful woman.
Longquan is the most representative, widespread, and esteemed ware of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Production started during the Five Dynasties period (907–960) at the kilns near the market town of Longquan, where in later dynasties much of the ware was collected for shipping. Technological advances such as the development of a multi-chambered, rising kiln and the use of stacked saggars (protective clay boxes) allowed for increased production in the Southern Song. In Yuan (1279–1368) and Ming (1368–1644) times, the kilns supplied wares to a domestic market as well as to overseas markets in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Physical Description:
This stoneware, flat-bottomed dish has straight, everted sides and an everted rim with articulation, on a footring. The interior is incised with a peony spray surrounded by wavy lines on the sides. It is covered with a green celadon glaze.
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