Dish with carved lotus branches and applied fish

One type of Yuan longquan ware was executed with multiple decorative processes, including appliquéd molded-relief plaques. Brick-colored biscuit plaques in the forms of fish, dragons, or flowers often embellish the base of the dishes such as this and contrast with the green-glazed backgrounds. This dish has a six-lobed lip, a flat base, and wavy patterns carved on the sides. Unknown in other kilns, this dramatic longquan manner of ornamentation was probably associated with the repoussé technique used in goldsmithing. A longquan plate with iron-colored overglaze mottles and a bisque appliquéd flower on the center of its base from the shipwreck at Xin'an gives witness to this multi-step process of decoration (Ministry of Culture and Information 1983: pl. 89).