Set of Three Chinese Famille Rose Plates with Endless Knot Mark, Guangxu Period, late 19th century

Age:
Late 19th Century
Material:
Porcelain
Dimensions:
Diameter: 13cm
Shipping:
Standard Parcel
Price:
£ 120
This item is available to view and buy at:
Carse of Cambus
Doune
Stirlingshire
FK16 6HG
A set of three large Chinese famille rose porcelain plates found in the home of Straits Chinese / Peranakan / Nyonya. They are painted in the middle with two peaches and a bat and surrounded with four Shuangxi (Double Happiness) characters interspersed with sprays of peonies and Lingzhi fungus. On the back are four bats painted in iron red enamel with an endless knot mark.
The plates are in good condition with good enamels. One has a small 0.5cm shallow chip and another has two small hairlines which can only be seen in certain light. The third has no issues. The plates have been neatly potted with some kiln grit as expected.
The endless knot is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols representing the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he gained enlightenment. It denotes good fortune. The "double happiness mark" is usually understood to mean "wedded bliss" and peaches symbolise fertility. Chrysanthemum is associated with longevity as is the Lingzhi fungus, which was considered by the Daoist mystics as the food of the Immortals.