TWO CHINESE KO-SOMETSUKE DISHES FOR THE JAPANESE MARKET

TWO CHINESE KO-SOMETSUKE DISHES FOR THE JAPANESE MARKET

TIANQI 1621-27

Both decorated in underglaze blue with a deer underneath a pine, a crane in flight above, the rims with typical mushikui frits and both raised on a short foot, one dish inscribed Da Ming Chenghua nian zhi to the base, 20.8cm and 20.4cm. (2)

Crane, deer and pine are all symbols of longevity and were depicted on these dishes for their auspicious meaning.