Japanese Ribbed Dish, 19th Century

Ref: Y191

Japanese ribbed dish, 19th century, of moulded form with ribs and serrated edge, decorated in overglaze enamels and gilt with a pair of cranes in a rocky garden landscape with peony, pine and golden scrolling clouds, the reverse with two scrolling branches of peony with buds and foliage in iron-red.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 20cm. (7 7/8in.)

Condition:

Small glaze fault, minor ware

Notes:

While crane and pine are auspicious symbols respectively, it is believed that when depicted together the potency of the image is increased. Both represent longevity: pine is an evergreen tree that continues to flourish through the lean winter months, and the crane, which can also stand for peace, is a bird associated with Daoist belief, thought to live for thousands of years and act as messenger between the earthly and heavenly realms. When represented in a pair, as seen here, cranes signify a long and happy marriage.