Description
Chinese blue and white oval export platter featuring a scene from the romance of the western chamber. The plate with pinched edge and boldly decorated boarder intricately decorated with floral scenes. The central scene beautifully painted with two female figures standing with fans below a balcony with another figure. The rear of the plate decorated with multiple floral sprays with a central flower arrangement to the centre. Qianlong period circa 1770 usually this scene is found upon circular blue and white plates and it is less common to be found painted on a platter.
Notes | Romance of the Western Chamber (西廂記) is one of the most famous Chinese dramatic works. It was written by the Yuan dynasty playwright Wang Shifu (王實甫), and set during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 AD). It is known as China’s most popular love comedy and is the story of a young couple consummating their love without parental approval.
The play has twenty-one acts, five parts and it tells the story of a secret love affair between Zhang Sheng (张生), a young scholar, and Cui Yingying, the daughter of a chief minister of the Tang court. From the 13th century to the 21st century, many scenes from The Romance of the Western Chamber decorated Chinese porcelain much like this platter.
Measurements | 25.5cm High x 31.5cm Wide x 4cm Deep ( 10 x 12.4 x 1.57 Inches )
Condition | Very Good – Excellent, no restoration. Small firing fault around 2pm position as photographed. Minor fretting and a couple of small chips to the extremities.
