Page 42 - Bonhams UK Marsh Collection Art for the Literati November 2, 2022

4 *
A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'MYTHICAL BEASTS' BRUSHPOT, Chilong or 'hornless dragon' with bifurcated tails were a common
BITONG motif originating from ancient Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze
Kangxi vessels. Their appearance on Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain
The cylindrical vessel boldly painted around the exterior in vibrant reflects a growing academic trend known as the 'search for evidence'
tones of cobalt-blue with sinuous archaistic chilong, with bifurcated (kaozheng 考證) movement which began in the 17th century. Although
tails and long scaly bodies, all writhing amidst scallop-shaped ruyi- this movement originated in a renewed scholarly interest in ancient
clouds. texts and inscriptions on archaic bronzes, as literati sought a more
19.3cm (7 1/2in) diam. empirical approach to understanding their ancient heritage and began
questioning the received tradition, it led to a greater fascination for
£15,000 - 20,000 decorative designs adopted from ancient bronzes too.
CNY120,000 - 160,000
See for example a blue and white bowl with related decoration of
清康熙 青花瑞獸紋筆筒 archaistic chilong, Kangxi, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in
Qing Shunzhi Kangxi chao qinghuaci, Beijing, 2005, p.202, no.123.
Provenance:
Berwald Oriental Art Ltd., London, June 1996
來源：
倫敦古董商 Berwald Oriental Art Ltd.，1996年6月

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
42 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.