Soup plate

The plate is complete; it is missing around the rim and a break has been repaired with glue. The plate is circular with a plain rim. The rim slopes slightly inwards, the wall is socked and the bottom is flat and recessed. The plate rests on a small ring-shaped foot, which is free of glaze. There is a small flaw on the inner base; the decoration is traced and hand-painted in underglaze blue. The decoration covers the rim and bottom of the plate. It is of the lake landscape type. The border frieze is complex, consisting of a group of elements repeated four times. The main element is a curved area of spirals, bordered at one end by an inclined scroll and at the other by a butterfly with outstretched wings. The spiral area supports a half-flower and what appears to be a Ruyi head. Beyond the scroll is a reserve scroll, while a double scroll lies beyond the butterfly. This group is bordered by a recumbent scroll topped by two interlocking lozenges. The background decoration is bordered by a double ring supporting a row of pairs of double spirals surmounted by a trident. The background depicts an oriental scene with a river and three islands. The main island is painted a faded blue and is bordered by rocks; on it stand a pavilion with an oriental-style stepped roof and another on a quay. They are flanked by trees, including a large flowering tree and pine trees. This island is linked to another by a small bridge that appears to be made of wood; two people walk on it. The island is lined with rocks and supports a willow and a pine tree. A small boat pulls away from the island, and two others sail on the water behind it. A third island houses a small building and is lined with rocks. Birds flutter in the sky. The perimeter of the plate is covered with an iron-brown coating.