Very rare imperial porcelain plate with blue-white Hué blue - Lot 17

Very rare imperial porcelain plate with blue-white Hué blue decoration featuring a pentadactyl dragon in the clouds protecting a Tho (longevity) and Khanh (prosperity) symbol in the form of a medallion. The reverse of the wing is decorated with qilin, a possible symbolic representation of the crown princes. Metal-rimmed lip. Underglaze four-character mark in blue under the base "Khánh xuân thị tả", i.e. "Celebrating Spring, Left Palace". China for Vietnam, second half of the 18th century. Diameter: 26 cm. (Crack). Imperial commission for the celebration of the Son of Heaven's birthday, this piece was most likely part of a pair produced for the Emperor's personal collection. The mark under the base is the one used on pieces made for the main sanctuary of the Imperial Palace. For a similar piece, possibly designed as a pair with this one and the only other known example to date, see the plate from the Vuong Hong Sen collection donated to the National Museum of Vietnam, now the Ho Chi Minh Museum of History.