Saucer-dish

Because of the enthusiasm of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors for classical imperial wares of the Ming dynasty, large numbers of imitations were produced, some with and some without Ming marks, during the Qing. One type of object that potters sought to copy were the famous ruby red glazed wares attained by the Xuande imperial kiln. The lighter weight biscuit, the slightly grayish red glaze with green specks, and the dull blue of the mark seen on this saucer are all features associated with Qing craftsmanship. The mark reads Xuande nianzao ("produced during the Xuande reign").