A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE 'SCHOLAR’S DREAM' DISH. Qing Dynasty, 19th Century. The interior painted to the edges of the dish to depict the scholar Si Mayou slumped across his desk dreaming of a liaison with the famous courtesan Su Xiaoxiao, 26.5cm diameter. 清十九世紀 粉彩繪錢塘夢圖紋碟 The scholar Sima You is depicted dreaming of the famous courtesan Su Xiaoxiao, whose relics, according to the prologue of the Yuan classic, Dream of the West Chamber, he had chanced upon the previous day in his garden and arranged to be properly buried. Accordingly, the young woman had appeared to him in a dream to show her gratitude.