CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, MARQUE A SIX CARACTERES ET EPOQUE YONGZHENG (1723-1735)

The technique of enamel application on the present dish is known as 'boneless style' as areas of colour are painted on without the use of formal outlines as a frame for the design. This 'boneless' technique does not appear to have been widely used, and was usually confined to smaller wares. The technique is discussed in greater detail by R. Scott, '18th Century Overglaze Enamels: The Influence of Technological Development on Painting Style', Style in the East Asian Tradition, Percival David Foundation, London, 1987, pp. 158 and 164.

A pair of bowls with a similar design is illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art, Chinese Ceramics, vol. IV, pl. 151.

See other Yongzheng dishes with flower patterns illustrated in R. Kerr, Chinese Ceramics - Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911, Victoria and Albert Museum, Far Eastern Series 1986, p.111-113.