Pair of Fam. Verte dishes

These dishes are from the Kangxi period (1662-1722), the dominant colours of the decoration are green and blue which place these objects in the famille verte, a group of ceramics mainly decorated in different tones of green over the glaze.

The dishes are decorated with objects from “The Hundred Antiquities.” The pattern became popular in China in the seventeenth century, especially as a decorative theme. This motif often features antiques, ornamental vessels, and scholar’s accessories in various media, resulting in a colourful, playful surface.

The objects depicted in “The Hundred Antiquities” also carry rich symbolic meaning. For example, on the bottom right of the plate, scrolls, brushes, and neatly tied books refer to the importance of calligraphy, writing, and study, activities considered fundamental to the life of a scholar.

Literature: Phoenix, november 1948

Provenance: A. Nijstad, Lochem; Mak Dordrecht, 10-11 mei 1938, Nr. 289