Chinese Ming Dynasty Charger Plate Large Bronze & Cloisonne Enamel 4.7kg

  
This is something very special. A large and very heavy antique Ming Chinese charger. It has a diameter of 14-3/8 (36.5 cm) and weighs 4.7kg! The piece is very striking to look at, especially to hold in your hands and view all the details, the enamel has a nice matte smooth feel when you rub your hand over it. It would make such a fantastic centrepiece to any design project or collectors setup. Definitely as it is worthy of museum status with it's age. I could see this also pride of place mounted on a fresh wood plinth on the wall of a very fortunate persons hallway, a great talking point for all visitors to see!

The design features seven Daoist immortals and the protective yellow tiger. Patina is still in place to the rear of the charger and uncleaned.

Typical of the Ming Dynasty period the cloisonne exhibits ancient characteristics such as cloison wires of varying width, surface enamel pitting, black spots from cloison solder, gilded rim (worn), and satin finished enamel. Cloisonne is an enameling technique in which the pattern is formed by wires soldered to the surface of the object to be decorated, which is usually made from copper, forming cells or cloisons, each of which holds a single colour of enamel paste which is then fired, and ground and polished. The tiger, as an ancient Chinese animal symbol is an emblem of dignity, ferocity, sternness, courage, wisdom and strength and by itself is Yin energy.

Also a symbol of protection, the image of a tiger is often seen on clothing or in the home to ward off any semblance of harm and assure safekeeping. In certain areas of China and Asia, the Tiger is regarded as the God of Wealth. Consequently, quite often Tsai Shen Yeh, the Chinese God of Wealth is depicted sitting on a tiger. Such an image symbolizes the supremacy of the intangible forces, and our ability to harness the tiger's power in our lives.

The yellow tiger is the supreme ruler of all the tigers and symbolic of the Sun. The cast bronze body is very patinated. Surface pitting to the enamel. The rim was formerly finished in gilt and only traces can be detected on the edges with magnification.

Some deterioration of the turquoise enamel around the edge due to rim oxidisation. A couple of the small cells in the centre of the piece have the enamel entirely missing. Diameter: 36.5 cm (14-3/8). Height: 5.5 cm (2-1/8).

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