Imperial Jingdezhen — Hsiang-Yun, Beauties of the Red Mansion

An authentic 1988 limited-edition Imperial Jingdezhen porcelain collector plate — "Hsiang-Yun", Plate No. 10 from the celebrated Beauties of the Red Mansion series (1986–1989), featuring original artwork by master artisan Zhao Huimin. Crafted at the historic Imperial Kilns in Jingdezhen, China, the plate presents a detailed central portrait of Hsiang-Yun surrounded by an intricately painted, vibrant decorative border of exceptional refinement. Presented in its original presentation box. A significant piece for the serious collector of Chinese decorative porcelain, classical literature, or the Beauties of the Red Mansion series.

About the Series: Beauties of the Red Mansion

The Beauties of the Red Mansion series, produced by Imperial Jingdezhen between 1986 and 1989, is among the most celebrated and actively collected of all Chinese limited-edition porcelain plate series — a twelve-plate cycle depicting the principal heroines of A Dream of Red Mansions (Hónglóu Mèng), the 18th-century novel by Cao Xueqin universally regarded as the greatest work of Chinese classical literature. Each plate in the series was painted by Zhao Huimin, one of the foremost figure painters working in the Jingdezhen tradition — an artist whose mastery of the classical Chinese portrait style, with its luminous color, delicate line, and psychological depth, made the series an immediate collector's landmark upon its release.

A Dream of Red Mansions has been a touchstone of Chinese culture for over two centuries — its characters as familiar to Chinese readers as those of Shakespeare to English ones. Hsiang-Yun (Shi Xiangyun) is among the most beloved of the novel's heroines: celebrated for her spirited, unconventional nature, her poetic gifts, and her warmth — a character of particular charm and enduring popular affection. Plate No. 10 in the series, she is among the later and rarer issues of the Beauties cycle.

About Imperial Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi Province, has been the undisputed center of Chinese porcelain production for over a thousand years — the city of the imperial kilns, from which the finest Chinese porcelain has flowed to the courts and collections of the world. The Imperial Jingdezhen collector series of the 1980s brought that thousand-year tradition to the international collector market, producing limited-edition plates of genuine porcelain quality at the historic kilns, with hand-painted decoration by named master artists. These are not decorative reproductions but authentic works of the Jingdezhen craft tradition, made at the source.

Details

• Manufacturer: Imperial Jingdezhen Porcelain
• Series: Beauties of the Red Mansion (1986–1989)
• Plate Number: #10 — "Hsiang-Yun" (Shi Xiangyun)
• Artist: Zhao Huimin
• Year: 1988
• Diameter: Approx. 8.5 inches
• Material: Fine porcelain, hand-painted
• Includes: Original presentation box

Condition

Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, crazing, or color fading. Plate has been stored safely and displays beautifully. Original presentation box included — note a sticker mark on the exterior of the box. Please review all high-resolution photos carefully as they form part of the condition description.

Comparable Market Value

$75 — based on current sold listings on eBay for Imperial Jingdezhen Beauties of the Red Mansion plates in excellent condition with original presentation boxes, particularly later series plates such as Plate No. 10.