Wucai-style 'Three Star Gods' charger - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)






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Japanese porcelain circular charger in wucai style depicting the Three Star Gods, with blue underglaze and polychrome enamels, central garden scene with a longevity deity, width 31.7 cm, excellent condition, original/officiel authenticity, and an old metal mount on the reverse.
Description from the seller
Description
Circular grand porcelain plate, painted in underglaze blue and polychrome enamels with iron red, greens, aubergine/brown tones, and gilded highlights. The central medallion depicts a garden scene dominated by an elderly figure associated with longevity, set in a landscape of pines, bamboo, pierced rocks, flowers, and a censer. The broad border is animated by stylized clouds, auspicious motifs, and red and green elements linked by a blue drawing.
Iconography
The central figure can be linked to Shoulao / Shouxing, the Taoist deity of longevity. The pine, evergreen plants, clouds, and the censer reinforce the auspicious character of the composition. Narrative scenes and garden-dwelling figures constitute a well-attested repertoire on polychrome porcelains from the Kangxi period.
Elements compatible with the Kangxi period
The combination of cobalt blue underglaze with polychrome enamels, the vigor of iron red, the linear drawing of the figures, the garden composition, and the decoration on the reverse are compatible with Jingdezhen productions of the Kangxi period. The reverse also features a double circle in cobalt blue around the base and polychrome bouquets on the exterior wall, characteristics that appear on documented Kangxi dishes.
Condition and mounting
According to the information provided, the plate shows neither cracks nor fractures. An important ancient metal framework is fixed to the reverse. In the absence of damage, this can be interpreted as an old European mounting intended for hanging or securing the plate.
Description
Circular grand porcelain plate, painted in underglaze blue and polychrome enamels with iron red, greens, aubergine/brown tones, and gilded highlights. The central medallion depicts a garden scene dominated by an elderly figure associated with longevity, set in a landscape of pines, bamboo, pierced rocks, flowers, and a censer. The broad border is animated by stylized clouds, auspicious motifs, and red and green elements linked by a blue drawing.
Iconography
The central figure can be linked to Shoulao / Shouxing, the Taoist deity of longevity. The pine, evergreen plants, clouds, and the censer reinforce the auspicious character of the composition. Narrative scenes and garden-dwelling figures constitute a well-attested repertoire on polychrome porcelains from the Kangxi period.
Elements compatible with the Kangxi period
The combination of cobalt blue underglaze with polychrome enamels, the vigor of iron red, the linear drawing of the figures, the garden composition, and the decoration on the reverse are compatible with Jingdezhen productions of the Kangxi period. The reverse also features a double circle in cobalt blue around the base and polychrome bouquets on the exterior wall, characteristics that appear on documented Kangxi dishes.
Condition and mounting
According to the information provided, the plate shows neither cracks nor fractures. An important ancient metal framework is fixed to the reverse. In the absence of damage, this can be interpreted as an old European mounting intended for hanging or securing the plate.
