Cloisonné "floral" dish, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912).

On the base is a four-character seal 乾隆年製 (Qianlong nian zhi) surrounded by ruyi.

A deep dish with a flaring base made of gilt-bronze with cloisonné enamel decoration. The body is entirely decorated with lotuses in blossom and scrolls on a blue background. Surrounding the inner and outer rim is a line of dark-blue ruyi. Finally, in the centre of the dish is a large flower decorated on the inside with coloured petals and twining branches on a dark-blue background.

Diameter: 25.30 cm; Height: 5.30 cm; Weight: 1144 g

Provenance: 

Private collection of a German diplomat, later inherited by the family. He worked as a diplomat in China and lived in Beijing between 1890 and 1900. The attached photographs were taken during his stay. Currently in a European collection.