Large Blue and White with 'Rockwork and Flowers' Dish, Qing dynasty

This dish features a rockwork design that was popular during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The blue-and-white underglaze effectively captures the vibrant tones typical of the late Ming and early Qing periods. The detailed depiction of flowers, leaves, and rockwork is both rich and vivid. Due to its excavation from the seabed, the glaze in the central area shows signs of wear, particularly compared to the more preserved sides of the dish. Although it was soaked in hot water to remove the salt at the time of acquisition, slight salt residue remains on the surface. 

Period : Qing Dynasty(Presumably Kangxi or Yongzheng Period)
Type : Dish
Medium : Blue and White glaze
Dimension : 11 cm(Height) x 51.5cm(Diameter)
Condition : Excellent(slight salt residue remains on the surface, and the glaze is worn primarily around the edges, such as the handles and rim.)
Provenance: Southeast Asia, South China Sea in early 2000s
Reference : 
1) Christies Newyork 22 MAR 2018 - The Studio of the Clear Garden: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 604
(Price realised : USD 732,500 / Type : related - Ming style)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6129537 

2) Sotheby's London 4 November 2020 - Imperial Porcelain – A Private Collection - Lot 19
(Price realised : GBP 75,600 / Type : related - Yuan style)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/imperial-porcelain-a-private-collection/a-rare-yuan-style-doucai-meiping-qing-dynasty-18th

3) Asian Art Museum, San Francisco - Object number B60P88
(Type : related - Ming style)
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/7408/vase-with-dragon

4) Art Institute Chicago - Reference Number 1997.390 - Large Foliate Dish with Garden Rock and Plants
(Type : Closely related)

* Yuan-Ming Style from Qing Dynasty

During the Qing dynasty, many ceramics were produced that imitated the styles of the Ming and Yuan dynasties. This practice was not mere imitation but a creative endeavor to inherit and innovate upon past techniques and styles. Qing dynasty ceramicists mastered the exceptional techniques of Ming and Yuan ceramics and used them as a foundation to develop more advanced works. Particularly, Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain and Ming dynasty colored ceramics significantly influenced Qing ceramics, with traditional patterns and forms deeply embedded in their creations.

Yuan-Ming prototypes were produced to meet the demand for ancient antiques from overseas. Qing dynasty artisans incorporated traditional elements while introducing innovative designs and techniques, producing unique and artistic ceramics. Thus, Qing ceramics are highly regarded for their respect for Ming and Yuan legacies while simultaneously creating new artistic expressions. This not only reinforced cultural authenticity but also played a crucial role in international trade and cultural exchanges.