Description

Antique Chinese ca 1600-1640 C China Plate Horses Kosometsuke Ming

A very nice bowl/plate with horses on waves. Early 17th century. Rare plate!

10-2-20-1-10

Symbolism

In symbolism a horse is a wish for a Good job. It often also indicates swiftness. A monkey 猴 hóu on horse back expresses the wish for promotion quickly as 侯 hóu is a noble rank and 马上 mǎ shǎng ‘on horseback’ is a metaphor for ‘arrive quickly’

The wave design is a common emblem in pictures and on the hem of garments. Water in regular waves represents the sea. The tide cháo made up of waves sounds the same as cháo which means ‘Imperial court’ and so waves may symbolize a wish for a job in the Imperial service.