清光绪 黄地紫绿彩双龙戏珠纹小盘一对 六字楷书款

The design of the current pair of dishes is based on earlier Ming dynasty prototypes dating to the Wanli period (1573-1619). The depiction of a dragon chasing a flaming pearl is common in Chinese art from the Tang dyasty (618-907) onwards. The dragon represents an imperial symbol of power and protection, while the pearl can be linked to the Buddihist talismatic jewel that symbolises transcendent wisdom. The combination of dragons and flaming pearl seen on the current pair of dishes therefore brings a wish for knowledge and supernatural powers to the owner.
An identical suacer donated by Mr Simon Kwan is illustrated by Laurence C.S.Tam and Christina Chu in The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Qing Ceramics form the Collection of Hong Kong Museum of Art, no. 129, pp188-189.