Chinese Republic period Porcelain Plate with Dragon and Cloud pattern in Iron Red Glaze

Recently sourced together with a similar piece from the same collection in a Korean antiques market, this Chinese Republic period plate is a special piece.

Hand painted with an iron red glaze with a highly stylised border, its central motif features a dragon amongst clouds, hearkening to their traditional depiction as bringers of rain.

The hand painted glaze is beautifully executed with a stylised cloud pattern known as yunwen or leiwen border, known as a Greek key pattern in the West. The dragon here is seen soaring amongst clouds and rain, with stylised gusts of wind. The dragon’s scales and surrounding cloud patterns are also excellently done.

There is an apocryphal Yongzheng reign mark to the base of the plate; judging from the glaze and hand painted details it is from the Republic period (1912-1949).

Plates with similar motifs have become increasingly collectable in recent years, and pieces from the Republic period are now excellent investment pieces of Chinese art. We have seen a spike in auction prices in recent years, with well executed places fetching over a thousand AUD.

Price marked at AUD$780.
Dimensions: 21cm diameter, 4cm high.
Condition: very good antique condition overall with some minor wear to glaze and base.