Description

A very nicely plate with a rare scene of Monkey, Bees, Magpie, and Dee. Unusual Xuande mark at the base.

Visual puns, often made by using homophones, are a popular design language in Chinese art. In addition to being a zodiac animal, the monkey also symbolizes a noble title, because it is pronounced the same as the word for marquis (hou) in Chinese. Here, monkey, bees, magpie, and deer are combined to convey “giving great wealth and bestowing a noble title” (jue lu feng hou). This handsomely painted blue-and-white dish therefore expresses two wishes for good fortune.

Similar dish but then Chenghua marked;
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/48214?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=magpie&offset=24&rpp=20&pos=29

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