Chinese Qing Dynasty Tongzhi Emperor Reign period, Pair Shou calligraphy and butterfly porcelain plates. The porcelain potted with a shallow body, of a shallow vessel, broad wide cavetto, with a slightly flared lip and shallow draft. All reserved in a lemon yellow underglaze base ground color against Wucai design color hand-painting. The body interior decorated with various butterfly in vivid tones color, interspersed with Chinese calligraphy "Shou" in a gilt fine color and enclosed within thick single ring conforming the cavetto. Three of the most important goals in life in Chinese traditional thought are the propitious blessings of happiness (Fu), professional success or prosperity (Lu), and longevity (Shou). These are visually represented by the three "star gods" of the same names (Fu Lu Shou), commonly depicted as three male figurines is instantly recognizable. "He holds in his hand a large peach, and attached to his long staff are a gourd and a scroll. The stag and the bat both indicate Fu happiness. The peach, gourd, and scroll are symbols of longevity. The ideograph may appear alone or be surrounded by flowers, bats, or other good luck symbols, but will always hold a central position. Longevity is commonly recognized as one of the Five Blessings (wufu - longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, a peaceful death) of Chinese belief. The exterior reserved in a clean white base color decorated with flowers blooms interspersed scrolling tendril. The Lines of the drawings are clear, the light and dark shades are subtle. The colors are harmonious, elegant and exquisite, the composition is sophisticated, simply a feast for the eye. The underside left un-glazed with orange-brown burnt base, and grayish-dark firing marks. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned.


The Under-base bears a reign mark, a four underglaze red script characters reign mark, Made In The Years of Tong Zhi Emperor Reign Period.


Measurements: Height: 1-1/4" Diameter: 5-7/8" (each)