The lotus is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism. It blooms over muddy pools of water and is thus an emblem of purity. It also represents spring. Major Duberly noted that Longqing “was celebrated for his success over the Mongols”, but that Jingdezhen was also devastated by fire which increased the rarity of wares with his mark.
Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 33
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 59 (28 guineas)
Location: Treasury, Gallery 2