The dish has three spur marks on the front made by tiny stilts of clay to keep a group of plates separated in the kiln during the firing process. The bottom of the plate is unglazed with the natural tan clay showing. The piece measures 9 ½” diameter – the base is 6” diameter and the rim is 1 ¾” high. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or restorations. We date it to the period of 1566-1722 – Ming to early Qing.

"Emperor Guan", was the Taoist god of war. He opposes all disturbers of the peace. He is charged with the task of guarding the realm against all external enemies, as well as internal rebels. Guan-di was also revered as a god of literature since he supposedly memorized one of the classics of Confucianism, and as patron of bean-curd sellers. His immense popularity rests particularly on his supposed power over demons and evil spirits, and his ability to prevent war.

Military hero of the Three Kingdoms era (3rd century AD) who started his career as the bodyguard of Liu Bei, the founder of one of the three kingdoms. He was captured and executed but his fame and popularity continued to grow. China's rulers conferred ever-greater titles on him until in 1594 he was canonized as Guan Di, god of war and protector of China.