A white-glazed dish from the Yongzheng period [Photo/ english.cguardian.com]

This chrysanthemum-shaped dish above, pure, white and elegant, has an irresistible charm, and shows the high level of porcelain making during the Yongzheng period. It sold for 2,300,000 RMB at the China Guardian 2011 Spring Auctions. The chrysanthemum shape comes from the Song Dynasty, as Song people loved the chrysanthemum for its meaning of being unimpressed by power or money. Yongzheng Emperor much admired the Song style. According to records, he ordered the Imperial kiln to manufacture 40 pieces each of 12 kinds of chrysanthemum-shaped dishes. We can see how much Yongzheng Emperor loved this kind of dish.