Plate with a Crab Surrounded by Fruit, Nuts and Seeds

The broad-rimmed plate has a flat bottom and a foot ring. At the center of the plate sprawls a crab surrounded by porcelain fruit, nuts, and seeds. An interlocking lotus design decorates the edge of the plate. At the bottom, a mark in seal script reads “Made in the Great Qing Qianlong reign”(Da Qing Qianlongnian zhi).
The objects on the plate not only bear a precise resemblance to the real thing but also convey auspicious meanings: in Chinese language, the crab is a homonym for “number one”(jia). It conveys a wish for success in the national examination. Lychee trees are said to yield fruit even after more than four hundred years, therefore, lychee is a symbol of long life. Since the character for seed (zi) is the same as that for “son”, walnuts and pomegranates are associated with fecundity. The hard-shelled water caltrop (ling jiao) is also called ‘buffalo horn fruit’ in Chinese. The first character for caltrop, combined with the first character in the word for lychee (li zhi) creates a pun for clever (ling li). Dates, peanuts and melon seeds in a row are homonymous for “give birth to a precious son as soon as possible”(Zao sheng gui zi).
In the Chinese tradition, having many sons to continue the family line was considered good fortune, especially clever sons who would be able to pass the tough civil service examinations and serve as government officials. Attaining such a prestigious position would not only bring honor to the individual but also wealth and high status to the entire family.