Overview
A charming example of 'Minyao' or 'people's ware,' featuring a hand-painted scholar in a bamboo grove surrounded by a foliate rim and auspicious symbols.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Chinese Provincial Blue and White 'Scholar' Plate with Apocryphal Xuande Mark
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
The six characters on the back claim this was made during the reign of the Xuande Emperor (1426–1435), the absolute 'Golden Age' of Chinese porcelain.
Maker / Origin
The artists of the provincial kilns were the unsung heroes of the ceramic world, working with 'unrefined' cobalt that produced these characteristic grey-blue tones.
Condition & Value
The plate shows characteristic 'pinholes' and iron spots in the glaze, which are original to the firing process and confirm its provincial origin. Value is driven by the 'folk art' appeal and the charm of the central figure.
Research
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