Ying Zisha Plate With Miniature Fruits and Nuts Sculptures

Details

Description

Yixing is best known for the famous zisha or purple sand teapots. It is safe to say all but a … Read more Yixing is best known for the famous zisha or purple sand teapots. It is safe to say all but a few potters, past and present, engage in making something other than teapots. These objects include objects for the scholar's table such as brush pots, brush washers, water droppers and my favorites - miniature fruits and nuts. The most famous potter who was known to make these objects was Chen Mingyuan who was active in the 18th century. More recently Jiang Rong, known for her naturalistic teapots, also made small objects of fruits and nuts, had taught her pupils well and the tradition continues.

This terra cotta plate holds the Eight Precious Fruits and Nuts - chestnut, walnut, peanut, gingko nut, melon seed, caltrop (black bat like object,) water chestnuts and arrowroot. They are all auspicious symbols of good luck, and fertility. The potter has a two character seal impressed on the bottom of the plate. However, the more interesting object is the four character square seal that reads "Zhongguo Yixing" (Yixing, China.) Zhōng (中) translates to "middle" or "center".Guó (国) translates to "country" or "nation". Notice the extra two small lines on the Zhōng (中) character. It was used during the 1960's to 1970's period of the Cultural Revolution. This makes dating easier.

The fruits and nuts are very lifelike, especially the walnut and peanut. It is a nice collectible for Yixing collectors and a good conversation piece to have around.

Dimensions: Black caltrop - 2.5" wide, Peanut - 1.5" side, Water chestnut - 1.2" wide See less