A large charger plate, Yongzheng to early Qianlong, measuring circa 36cm in diameter and weighing 1061g, decorated in underglaze blue to depict the legend hai wu tian chou (海屋添筹), in a central cartouche surrounded by blossoming prunus, a pine tree, peacock feathers in a vase, a peony and precious objects with a rim of diaper pattern. The literary origin of the scene can be traced back to an anecdote collected in Notes by Dongpo (东坡志林), compiled by a prominent man of letters of the Song dynasty, Su Shi (苏轼, 1037-1101). During one chance meeting of three geriatric men, the topic of age was broached. Each one of them tried their best to exaggerate his own great age. The second speaker famously boasted, ‘After every cycle of the sea drying up and becoming mulberry fields, I put a strip of bamboo in my house as a counter and now the strips have already filled ten of the rooms.’ Later, this dramatic detail evolved into a classic allusion to longevity, a popular wish cherished by people in China. Pictorial representations of this parable were invented and elaborated into different versions to adorn birthday presents of all kinds. Initially, the title of the scene is, literally: ‘A bamboo counter is being added to the house in the sea (海屋添筹 hai wu tian chou)’. The immortal flying on a crane is a leter embellishment to emphasize the longevity aspect. Condition: Chip to the reverse rim 4 x 7mm, otherwise very good. Minor wear commensurate with age. This lot will be carefully packaged and sent by registered and insured mail.