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Subject:Re: Chinese Plate - Fake ? Expert Opinion welcomed !!
Posted By: I.Nagy Thu, Jun 24, 2021
This plate is a small repository of the Chinese symbolc and artistic motifs,
All these motifs appear on Chinese ceramics, textiles, paintings etc. and dominate the Chinese culture have a meaning. The Chinese art contains a whole code of these symbols. Some are based on the similarities of an objet's attributes to to another object (a metaphor), while others are a play on a word's pronunciation (homophone).
Here, I try to explain the meanings of the main motifs on this plate.
Set of book in cover decorated with filet;
Books symbolize the important Confucian virtues of erudition and learning.
Vase;
In Chinese is identical with "ping = peace", and this together with the wide variety of flowers, which we can put into the vase gives rise to a rich field of symbolism.
Peonies;
Symbolizes royalty, rank, wealth and honor
Pomegranates;
Due to the proliferation of seeds in pomegranate, fecundity and offspings are stimulated visually. The word pomegranate "shiliu" (石榴)is homophonous the "shi" (世)that means "geneerations".
Peaches;
Symbolize immortality and longevity
Zhi (Mushroom with stalk and cap);
Symbolizes fertility
Halberd (Diagonally behind the big vase with peonies);
One of the twelve insignia of the imperial power.
Ribboned rhinoceros horn cup;
Is one of the lucky symbols associated with the scholar.
Sword tied by a ribbon;
Is one of the eight Daoist symbols - associated with immorality.
Magpie on a scroll;
Magpies are believed to herald good fortunes.
etc. etc.
I think it could be about a hundred years old.
With regards,
I.Nagy
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