kangxi blue and white porcelain plate

Kangxi - Chinese early 18th century - blue and white dragon plate. the plate is painted with a climbing dragon chasing the flaming pearl with lightning bolts. The border is painted with flower heads amongst a stylised wave border.

The flaming pearl was supposed to represent the fount of all the knowledge. The Dragon represents the Royal noble males. This Dragon is 4 toed. it was believed that the Dragon was composed of nine different animals: the head of a horse or camel, horns of a stag, ears of an ox, eyes of a hare, scales of a carp, stomach of a silk worm, body of a snake, claws of an eagle and paws of a Tiger.

The underside is intensely decorated with scrolling flowers and is very pretty.

The base is painted inside a double circle of the Six Character Cheng Hua mark

The plate is unusual as it is very flat and was probably the base of a small round sauce tureen.