Well painted foliated charger with two dragons ion a brown glaze interspersed with chrysanthemum and prunus florals and leaves in the central cavetto all within a gilt circle on a yellow ground, a band of lotus leaves and tendrils in green and rose enamels all on a deep blue ground rising up to the foliated gilt rim, the exterior with three medallions of lotus flowers, leaves and tendrils in green, blue and rose enamels, a six character Guangxu mark in overglaze red on the base and of the period. 10 1/2 in. diam.
Condition: Perfect. No chips, cracks, hairlines or other damages.
Provenance: Westport, Connecticut estate
The skillful drawing of the dragon decoration in deep and light brown enamels on a yellow ground amidst the florals has characteristics of Empress Dowager (Cixi) designs.
Note the crackle of the yellow ground and bubbling of the pink, green, blue and rose enamels which together with the carbon residue on the foot and the underglaze iron red mark confirm its Guangxu, late Qing origin.
