Page 181 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

1942.9-608 (C-459)
Rectangular Vase Illustrating Poems by
Tao Qian and Su Shi

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with famille jaune and famille noire enamels
on the biscuit, 35.6 x 14 x 14 (14 x 5 Vi x 5 ¥2)
Widener Collection

INSCRIPTION
Inscribed in standard script on two sides in black enamel with foot of the vase, like the neck, is decorated with leaf-
the poems "Homecoming" by Tao Qian and "Second Ode to the shaped reserves in the famille jaune palette against a dark
Red Cliff" by Su Shi diaper ground; landscapes, two of which include fisher-
men, are depicted in the reserves.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The high foot-ring has a fabric impression on the base and is Tao Qian's "Homecoming" reads:
unglazed. The interior of the foot is glazed with a matte bluish
glaze. The molded sides of the vessel are slightly convex. On the To get out of this and go back home!
interior eight triangular braces were luted onto the walls and My fields and garden will be overgrown with weeds—
into the corners, helping to keep the base, sides, and shoulder I must go back.
attached. Except for the mouth, the interior is unglazed and has It was my own doing that made my mind
some areas of fabric impression. The lip is repaired and entirely my body's slave,
repainted in black. Why should I go on in melancholy and lonely grief?
I realize that there's no remedying the past,
PROVENANCE But I know that there's hope in the future.
J. Pierpont Morgan [1837-1913], New York. (Duveen Brothers, After all I have not gone far on the wrong road,
New York and London); sold 1915 to Peter A. B. Widener, And I am aware that what I do today is right, yesterday
Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from wrong. My boat rocks in the gentle breeze,
Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appoint-
ment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Flap, flap, the wind blows my gown;
I ask a passerby about the road ahead,
Grudging the dimness of the light at dawn.
HIS UNUSUAL VESSEL ILLUSTRATES tWO of the most Then I catch sight of my cottage—
Tfamous poems in Chinese history, "Homecoming" by Filled with joy I run.
Tao Qian (365-427) and the "Second Ode to the Red The servant boy comes to welcome me
Cliff" by Su Shi (1036-1101). The main body of the vase is My little son waits at the door.
decorated with black calligraphy and painting applied in The three paths are almost obliterated.
famille jaune and famille noire enamels (yellow, But pines and chrysanthemums are still here.
aubergine, black, and two shades of green) on the biscuit. Leading the children by the hand I enter my house,
The painted decoration is applied in a relatively crude, Where there is a bottle filled with wine.
sketchy style. On the four-panel neck a textile- or lacquer- I draw the bottle to me and pour myself a cup;
inspired diaper pattern in black on a green ground Seeing the trees in the courtyard brings joy to my face.
encloses pictures, painted in the famille jaune palette, of I lean on the south window and let my pride expand,
scholars in landscapes. Two of the panels bear scenes I consider how easy it is to be content with a little space.
painted in leaf-shaped reserves; the other reserves are Every day I stroll in the garden for pleasure,
shaped like pomegranates. The shoulder is decorated There is a gate there, but it is always shut.
with eight chrysanthemums in white, yellow, and Cane in hand I walk and rest,
aubergine against the darker textile-inspired diaper Occasionally raising my head to gaze into the distance.
ground. The illustrations on the main body are framed by The clouds aimlessly rise from the peaks,
narrow black lines and are painted against a yellow The birds, weary of flying, know it is time to come home.
ground. On one side Tao Qian is shown relaxing at his As the sun's rays grow dim and disappear from view,
country estate, while servants nearby heat wine and pick I walk around a lonely pine, stroking it.
chrysanthemums. On the other side Su Shi is shown with Back home again!
two friends and three servants in a boat on the second May my friendships be broken off
excursion to the Red Cliff, which occurred in 1082. A and my wanderings come to an end.
crane flies over the boat, as described in the poem. The The world and I shall have nothing more to do with

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