Citron Plate in the Form of a Lotus Leaf

Porcelain with famille rose

The lotus-leaf-shaped plate has curved edges and feet in design of a red water nut and a blue river snail. On one side, a stem leans on the surface of the leaf. The rim of the plate is attached with a lotus and a seedpod of lotus holding movable seeds. The bottom bears a blue-and-white four-character Qianlong reign mark.
The so-called “citron plate” is a small fruit plate placed in the scholar’s studio. It usually holds perfumed fruit including yellow citrons and “Buddha hand” fruit. The plate with fruit could not only provide a pleasant scent to the atmosphere but also add interest to the scholar’s life. This citron plate successfully captures the colors and shapes of natural things, exemplifying the sophistication of the porcelain production in the Qianlong reign.