Reticulated Lotus Bouquet Dish

A very nicely decorated heavy porcelain dish of good size and proportion with a hand reticulated border.

This pattern originated in the reign of the Yongle Emperor at the beginning of the Ming dynasty and is commonly referred to as "Lotus Bouquet"  

The original design has the stems of the flowers flowing around to the side.  Later, this version developed with the stems displayed in a more symmetrical way.

Reticulated dishes of this style seem to have been popular at the end of the Qianlong reign and the beginning of the Jiaqing reign around 1800.

This is a nicely done example, probably for the Chinese market.

The mark is the classic six figure archaic form of the Qianlong reign period.  In this case probably an apocryphal mark.

Reticulate dishes are difficult to make because the porcelain will warp and distort in the kiln very easily if the mass of clay is not even, so any reticulation demands a high level of the craftsmans skill and indicated that this is a nice quality dish.

I have seen many Lotus Bouquet dishes, but this is the only one I have found which is reticulated.

The inside glaze of the dish has a fine smooth glaze, very like the palm of the hand.

The foot rim is well cut.  Around the edge of the dish scrolls of chrysanthemums very nicely done.

Maker's marks:
Six-character archaic Qianlong reign mark

Dimensions:
310 mm diam at rim by 70 mm tall

Weight:
663 g

Age:
Possibly around 1800, 200 years old.  

Condition:
Very good condition.  A tiny chip to the glaze on the surface of the bowl, only visible with careful inspection.  The glaze very nice, wear consummate with age.

Maker:
Chinese