A RARE WHITE-GLAZED SAUCER-DISH

Yongzheng six-character mark within a double square and of the period

Footnotes

清雍正 白釉盤
楷書「大清雍正年製」楷書款

Provenance: John Sparks Ltd., London
John E. Bodie OBE (1930-2023), London, collection no.19

來源：倫敦古董商John Sparks Ltd.
大英帝國官佐勳章獲勳人John E. Bodie(1930-2023)，倫敦，藏品編號19

Notable for its immaculate white glaze and graceful shape, this sophisticated dish draws inspiration from early Ming dynasty prototypes, which were highly regarded by the Yongzheng Emperor.

The production of white-glazed vessels reached its peak during the period of the Yongle Emperor, and were much sought after for their whiter body and attractive glaze characterised by a silky, unctuous texture.

The colour white symbolised spiritual purity and was associated with Buddhist rituals. The Yongzheng Emperor held Tibetan Buddhism in high esteem, valuing it for diplomatic purposes as well as for his personal devotion. He took pleasure in delving into Buddhist teachings, often identifying himself as the 'Head of the Shakya', referencing the birthplace of Buddha, and immersing himself in Chan studies. Additionally, the emperor embraced Buddhist titles such as 'Layman of Aloofness from the Dusty World' and 'Layman of Yuanming Garden'. He also bestowed similar names upon his son, Hongli, such as 'Layman of Everlasting Spring'. Notably, there exists a painting depicting Yongzheng adorned in the ceremonial robe of an esoteric high lama. Following in his father's footsteps, the Yongzheng Emperor also actively promoted Buddhism, overseeing the printing of Buddhist scriptures and personally contributing prefaces for Buddhist texts; see Harmony and Integrity: The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, Taipei, 2009, pp.139 and 145.

Compare with a similarly-shaped celadon-glazed monochrome dish, also bearing the Yongzheng mark within a double square and of the period, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2021, lot 2987.