A rare and characterful antique Chinese porcelain plate dating from the late Qing Dynasty or early Republic period (pre-1910), hand-painted with a stylized fish in underglaze blue and iron-brown.
The fish’s body is decorated with a delicate grid pattern of raised dots, giving it a unique texture and visual depth. In Chinese culture, fish symbolize abundance, prosperity, and endurance.
The plate bears a finely engraved signature “紫藤廣元” (Ziteng Guangyuan) — likely indicating the name of the studio or artisan. The back shows a red wax seal from a French private gallery.
Origin: China
Period: Late Qing Dynasty / early Republic (before 1910)
Diameter: 21.5 cm
Material: Porcelain with hand-painted cobalt blue and iron-brown decoration
Motif: Symbolic fish surrounded by swirling water patterns
Mark: “紫藤廣元” (Ziteng Guangyuan)
Condition: Hairline crack, glaze wear and imperfections, no modern restoration
Decorative and highly collectible, this plate is a wonderful representation of symbolic Chinese design with historic provenance.
