The tray is painted in a deep Mohameddan blue with two five-clawed dragons rising out of the sea, among cloud scrolls above, with Daoist symbols. They are either side of Mount Penglai, one of the Isles of the Blest. A peach tree springs from its summit bearing a peach inscribed with the character Shou. On either side are the other Isles of the Blest, Fangzhang and Yingzhou. The reverse is painted with similar dragons among flowering foliage while the base has waves and swords. The underside is painted in blue with the Jiajing six-character mark within a double circle.

This design is also found on contemporary lacquer. Major Duberly described it as a “tray for offering birthday gifts representing the five Blessings, Longevity, Riches, Peacefulness, Serenity and Love of Virtue”.

Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 29

Provenance: Bequeathed as part of the Duberly Collection, 1978; purchased by Major Montagu and Lady Eileen Duberly from the collection of C.M. Woodbridge, sold Sotheby’s, London, 8 May 1951, lot 9 (6 guineas)

Location: Treasury, Gallery 2