Pomegranate, persimmon, grapes, and lotus surround the gardenia in the center of this dish. All of the flowers are auspicious: the gardenia symbolizes honor and happiness because its Chinese name, furong, is a homonym for these virtues.
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: late 16th century
Culture: China
Medium: Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under and colored enamel over transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware)
Dimensions: Diam. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
Accession Number: 19.28.10