Dish showing a procession to the Guangdong provincial examination hall

Asia, China

Shallow dish with a broad rim; low base-ring. Oyster white biscuit; colorless glaze; overglaze painted decoration including green, blue, red, gold, and yellow. Scene on floor shows a procession of 19 men bearing a litter with a seated official arriving at the entrance of the Guangdong Provincial Examination Hall (gongyuan 貢院). Lead pair of walkers hold placards including the characters Guangdong (廣東).

Rim is decorated with a net pattern (yellow dot and four radiating blue petals with red dotting). At top and bottom are inset scenes of books; at left and right are scenes of paired birds and branches; and along the diagnols are round coins with square openwork centers. Two of the coins have Manchu? writing, and the two others are inscribed "Tongzhi tongbao" (同治通寳).

Bottom and exterior sides are glazed without designs, inscriptions, or marks.