The Palace Museum:Blue-and-White Bowl with Children at Play and Guangxu Reign Mark

Period: Longqing reign (1567–1572), Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Medium: Ceramics
Dimensions: Height: 3 cm Rim diameter: 14.5 cm Base diameter: 8.5 cm

The interior and exterior feature a white-glazed background with imagery of a blue hill and fence. Within the yard enclosed by the fence are plants, trees, and a deer and monkey playing together. The Chinese word for Monkey homophonically refers to an imperial government position or promotion, while the word for deer refers to the (plentiful) salary of a government official or, taken a step further, abundance in general. Within the two blue rings are characters that read “Crafted during the reign of the Xuande Emperor of the Great Ming“.