Plate with a battle scene

This large famille verte porcelain charger depicts a dramatic historical battle, identified as the defeat of the usurper Wang Mang by the forces of Liu Xiu, founder of the Later Han dynasty. Crowded with soldiers, banners, and fortified architecture, the scene unfolds across mountains, rivers, and city gates in a vivid narrative panorama. Horses appear briefly but strategically, carrying commanders and troops through the chaos of combat and marking moments of pursuit and retreat. Rendered with energetic brushwork and bright enamels, the composition emphasizes movement, authority, and imperial triumph. Produced for the Qing court, the platter reflects the Kangxi period’s fascination with historical exemplars and the use of pictorial porcelain to convey political legitimacy and dynastic continuity.