Details

Object type

plate

Place Associated

China, Jingdezhen (place of manufacture)

Date

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, 1662-1722

Materials

Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration

Dimensions

overall: 33 mm x 207 mm x 207 mm 258 g

Description

This plate depicts an episode from a Chinese play 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' written by Wang Shifu (about 1250-1300). This scene shows Yingying’s maid receiving a love letter from Scholar Zhang addressed to her mistress. Scholar Zhang is seen sitting at a table, accompanied by his page. The affair is later detected by Yingying’s mother, Widow Cui, and Scholar Zhang is sent to the capital where he has to pass the government exams if he is to marry Yingying. The style of decoration in underglaze blue was extremely popular in Europe.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944

Collection

Burrell Collection: Chinese Pottery [Stoneware, Porcelain]

ID Number

38.1176

Location

In storage