Beautiful Blue and White Porcelain Dish with Kangxi Seal. China, XVII-XVIII Century

This stunning White and blue hand-painted porcelain plate is a wonderful antique made in China between the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a delicate and decorative piece, with both sides painted in indigo-blue enamel over a white background. The plate is in very good condition and only shows a tiny dent in the edge, scarcely perceptible at first sight. Nevertheless, this detail does not interfere at all with the pieces quality and beauty. The porcelains decoration depicts aquatic and floral motives with five white and blue fish that swim in a bubble background. At the plates base remains the mark from the Kangxi era, written by hand with blue ink in the center of the piece. Kangxi was the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the second in ruling over all China. He was one of the most important Chinese governors ever his kingdom lasted no less than 61 years, from 1662 to 1722. This era is remembered as a time of cultural splendor; the emperor himself contributed to its flourishing by protecting the arts and the culture. As stated before, the plates top surface is completely covered by delicate hand-painted blue motives, skillfully and precisely sketched. The central part contains four fish, similar in shape but with different types of skin that identify various species, swimming in circle on a background that pretends to be water. In the center of the plate there one more fish of the same style. Around this scene there is a fringe composed of plants, all of them equal and orderly disposed. Finally, there is a wider fringe with vegetal-inspired motives decorating the edge of the plate. At the base we can see three stylized flowery plants surrounding the Kangxi mark. Its delicate beauty and ancient age turn this plate into a very interesting piece for every lover of Chinese decorative arts. Measurements: Diameter: 7.8 in / 20 cm.