This dish belongs to the fine whitewares known as Ding wares, which were 'one of the true great wares' of the Song dynasty. The central design of two fishes amongst waves surrounded by a band of phoenix and peonies, was produced by impressing the dish onto a mould. Ding kilns in Hebei province were the first to start production of these whiteware during the Tang dynasty (618-906). The use of coal and high firing temperature gave Ding wares their much prized ivory tone. High-quality Ding wares were produced in the 11th century and were widely imitated.
