Delicate Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dish, Mid XIX Century. Hand Decorated

Lovely Chinese plate made of white and blue porcelain by the middle of the 20th century. This plate is an antique piece that has survived to our days in good condition, especially if we consider its ancient age. The plate is made of white porcelain and hand-decorated with deep blue scenes and motives, making up a classical oriental-style porcelain piece. The article shows some slight hairline cracks and small dents in the border, but its general beauty is still remarkable and can be enjoyed without disruption. If we turn the plate upside down, we will discover the furnace mark: a brownish tone which dyes the circular base and is due to the heat generated by the furnace during the firing.The plates decoration depicts a couple of imperial dragons facing each other. The dragons are symmetrical and were painted by hand with great detail by a skillful artist. Their long and wavy bodies, completely covered by small scales, twist and stretch towards the top covering the white surface. At the bottom we can see the beasts faces, highly expressive and detailed. As it is the custom in pieces decorated with dragons, the animals are surrounded by cloud and abstract forms which remind us of flames. The border is covered with decorative volute-shaped motives. At regular intervals we can see some drawings of fruits, some piled up and some surrounded by long leaves. The overall makes up a nice fringe, perfect to frame the scene of the dragons. The plate is a piece of white and blue porcelain, a kind of ware which seemed to start being produced in the 9th century. Its Chinese name, ging-hua, literally means blue flowers. The white porcelain is decorated under the glaze with hand-painted blue drawings, performed generally with cobalt oxide pigment.This plates delicate making and its ancient age turn it into an exclusive piece that will stand out in any self-respecting Chinese porcelain collection.Measurements: 240 mm diameter.