Ming Dynasty Pottery Miniature Food Offering Plate
Ming Dynasty Pottery Miniature Food Offering Plate
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Ming Dynasty, c. 1550-1600, North China
A stunning turquoise and dark blue glazed miniature offering plate, featuring a delicately sculpted fish, created as a funerary object for the afterlife. In ancient China, mingqi or “spirit goods” were placed in tombs to reflect daily life and beliefs about the afterlife, offering insight into Chinese traditions spanning over a thousand years.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this practice flourished, with pottery figurines and models—ranging from servants and attendants to animals and food offerings—lining tombs to accompany the deceased. The brilliant glaze and intricate craftsmanship of this piece exemplify the artistic achievements of the period.
A rare and authentic glimpse into Ming Dynasty burial traditions—perfect for collectors of ancient Chinese artifacts.
Good condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chip, with fading to some finer features, and light encrustations within recessed areas. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Size approx. 9,0cm x 6,7cm x 4,2cm.
Provenance: British private collection
References and further reading:
The Matter of Tang Tomb Figures; A New Perspective on a Group of Terracotta Animals and Riders, Lucien Van Valen & Isabelle Garachon, The Rijksmuseum Bulletin, Volume 62. pp. 218-239, 2014.
Dream of Ideal Life in Ancient China: Ceramic Miniatures of Architectures, Household Goods, People and Animals, Aichi.ken Toji Shiryokan, Seto, 2005, no. 14, p. 34.
Antecedents of Sui-Tang Burial Practices in Shaanxi, Mary Fong, Artibus Asiae 51, no:s. 3–4 (1991), pp. 147–98.
Mingqi - Items for the next world, Jan-Erik Nilsson, Gotheborg.com (https://gotheborg.com/glossary/mingqi.shtml)
Immortality of the Spirit: Chinese Funerary Art from the Han and Tang Dynasties Exhibition Catalogue, Jill J. Deupi, Ive Covaci & Leopold Swergold, Immortality of the Spirit - Ephemera. 1, Fairfield University, 2012. (https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/immortality_ephemera/1)
The Vibrant Role of Mingqi in Early Chinese Burials, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Heather Colburn Clydesdale, Independent Scholar, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2009. (www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mgqi/hd_mgqi.htm)
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