LARGE Chinese Ming Dynasty Xuande Emperor Reign period, Antique Blue and White three friend in the winter plate. Finely potted in shallow vessel form, with broad wide central interior, rounded cavetto gently tapering to open wide. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt-blue fine color. The central medallion delicately fine depicted various flowers blooms called the three friends in the winter interspersed with Chinese character sturdy branch. The Three Friends of Winter, also known as Suihan Sanyou, Saikan Sanyu or Sehansam-u, is an art motif that comprises the pine, bamboo, and plum. The Chinese observed that the pine, bamboo and plum do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season unlike many other plants. Known by them as the Three Friends of Winter, they entered the conventions of East Asian culture. Together they symbolize steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience. They are highly regarded in Confucianism and as such represent the scholar-gentleman's ideal. The Three Friends of Winter are common in works of Chinese art and those cultures influenced by it. The outer center rim decorated with flying crane careening through cumulus clouds, banded with double fine blue fine rings lines. The graceful crane symbolizes longevity as well as wisdom. It is fabled that when a crane reaches 600 years old it no longer needs to eat. It stands as a homophone for he ‘peace, harmony’. An embroidery of a crane formed part of the regalia of the top rank of Imperial officials. ‘Guan’ sounds the same as guan ‘official’ and guan ‘hat, first place’ so can symbolize the wish for promotion to a high official position. A crane is often portrayed with a tortoise (longevity) or a deer (longevity and riches). The porcelain conformed all required specimen to be high valued Chinese porcelain wares, with finest material, the whiteness, the glaze, the drawing, and the shape. Without overlap the outlines of the design, well drew, clear, subtle, and distinct. The glaze is seamless and gives off a beautiful luster, with the colors maintaining excellent vibrancy. This piece displays a subtle sheen as the light ricochets across the finely exterior, glazed smooth, brilliant with a moist appearance, the finishing meticulous.


The Under-base bears a reign mark, a six underglaze script characters reign mark, Made In The Years of Xuande Reign Period of The Great Ming Dynasty.

Measurements: Height: 4-3/8" Diameter: 22-3/4"

PROVENANCE:
Arlin Holmes (April 1951 - May 2019) South Atlanta, GA; private collector, realtor, business Entrepreneur.
Mr. Holmes graduated from Gadsden State College in 1972. Upon graduation he worked as a project development contractor. Over his career he worked and managed large mega complexes which included build out of stores for the Macys corporation. Often he would need to travel overseas to procure the right materials to complete the beautiful interiors as demanded by the corporation. The travel time allowed him access into many foreign countries where he searched for unique and unusual items to bring back to his wife and daughter. At this point in time they are reducing the size of their collections allowing others to add these items into their collections.
Working large projects were very time consuming and rewarding financially, taking great pride in his accomplishments his most rewarding projects were those that he volunteered for Central and South America. Building schools, medical centers, training facilities, churches or just shelter for those in need he found to be the most worthy of his time. His projects were in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, all countries that needed a man that openly gave his time and money selflessly.
The items in this sale all have a special meaning to him, some he purchased others were donated for time and effort as gifts for reaching out to help others. All are truly rare and unique items that are in pristine museum quality condition. As his wishes before passed away, all sales will be contributed to: IGLESIA MINISTERIO UNCION PODER Y FUEGO, PANAMA; And Other Churches and Local Tribes under Mr. Arlin's missions.

The Collections of Mr. Arlin Holmes presented and offered up to auctions from Lot-286 through Lot-308.