A LARGE KANGXI FAMILLE VERTE BOWL KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722) ...

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Hammer

£11,000

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A LARGE KANGXI FAMILLE VERTE BOWL
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
康熙五彩洞石花鳥大盌
beautifully and skilfully decorated with famille verte enamels the artistic quality and vitality of this bowl is shown in the detail of the magpies, prunus and the dramatically painted Taihu rocks and pine. The elements of the design form a rebus - the combination of magpies and prunus having the meaning “happiness without end”.

The other side of the bowl is decorated with a large stylised butterfly and small insects - the former being enamelled in black and gold - along with several blossoms of chrysanthemums in hues of gold and iron-red, all amongst rocks and sprays of bamboo. Whilst the butterfly represents summer, when depicted with chrysanthemums the combination symbolises a change of season. However when bamboo is present - as it is here - the representation is for that of a “long life”.

Inside the bowl the central medallion depicts the legend of "Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate'' symbolising achievements, courage and perseverance. The legend tells the story of the hero Dayu who built a high and steep "Dragon Gate'' in order to control the flood water of the Yellow River. The force of the water brought many carp down the river and the carp were unable to swim back. The carp complained to Dayu. His wife, the Jade Emperor’s daughter, spoke with her father on behalf of the carp. The Jade Emperor promised that those carp that could leap over the Dragon Gate would become mighty dragons. Thus, in early Spring every year, herds of golden carp would gather under the Dragon Gate and try to leap over the gate in order to become dragons.
34cm diam.

PROVENANCE: Acquired from Guest & Gray, London, 1st December 2007.

RELATED EXAMPLES: A very similar bowl can be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Accession No: 1955–50–255. This item formed part of “The Alfred and Margaret Caspary Memorial Gift, 1955".

A very similar bowl can be found in the Porzellansammlung, Dresden, Inventory No: PO 4617.