#Dragon #dish #Dreweatts #Antique #Collecting
A large Imperial light-brown glazed ‘Dragon’ dish dating from the Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Period (1875-1908), and believed to have been commissioned for the 50th birthday of the Chinese version of Queen Victoria, the Empress Dowger Cixi (1835-1908), who ruled China during the Qing period, is set to sell at auction.
The rare and magnificent glazed ‘Dragon’ dish with a diameter of 62cm, features a full-face dragon leaping around a flaming pearl amidst clouds. It is believed to have been part of a special order placed by the Empress in 1884, on the occasion of her landmark birthday, for the celebrations titled the ‘Wanshou Festival’ or ‘Longevity Festival’, which took place on the occasion of the ruling Emperor or Empress’ birthday. As well as being a political powerhouse, she was one of the biggest art patrons of the period, alongside the Daoguang Emperor (1820-1850).
Her commission included 256 pieces that were modelled after prototypes from the 18th century. However, the enormous sizes of the pieces would pose a challenge for the craftsmen of the Imperial kiln and the commission had to be split into three shipments in two years.
All the pieces created for this occasion were given the Chu Xiu Gong Zhi seal mark, which translates as ‘made for the Chuxiugong Palace’, or ‘Palace of Gathering Elegance’, which was one of the Empress’ most favoured palaces and her chief residence between 1856 and 1885. This imperial palace served as the venue for the festival, which included activities such as fireworks, poetry reading, a maze competition and moon-viewing.
Commenting on the dish, which is being offered in Dreweatts’ Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Sale (Part 1) on November 13, Yingwen Tao, Specialist, Chinese and Asian Art at Dreweatts, said: “We are delighted to be offering such an important Imperial piece, linked to such a historical event. Highly rare and in exceptional condition after decades as a treasured possession in a private collection, we hope its legacy will continue.”
The dish carries an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.
She continued: “A dish of this rare pattern and large size, bearing the same unusual seal mark, is illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty: The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 473. There is also a similar dish in the Imperial collection at the Beijing Palace Museum, accession number 故00156270.”
