Page 242 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

(left): foot-ring and reignmark on base of 1972.43.38

(middle): foot-ring and reignmark on base of 1972.43.39

(right): interior of 1972.43.38

1972.43-38-39 (C-593-594)
Pair of Bowls

Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and period (1662-1722)
Porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze doucai
enamel decoration,
l3
1972.43.38: 7.0 X 12.2 (2% X 4 /i6)
n
l3
1972.43.39: 6.9 X 12.5 (2 /i6 X 4 /i6)
Harry G. Steele Collection, Gift of Grace C. Steele
INSCRIPTIONS
1
Inscribed in standard script on the base in underglaze blue in orange-red enamel. On the exterior each bowl is deco-
two columns of three characters each: Da Qing Kangxi nian zhi rated with the eight trigrams (ba gua) of the Yi Jing
[made in the Kangxi reign of the great Qing dynasty] (Book of Changes). 2 Below these are four orange-red carp
swimming among blue and green waves.
TECHNICAL NOTES Such bowls would have originally been part of a larger set.
1972.43.38 is in good condition; 1972.43.39 was broken into sev-
eral pieces and has been repaired. Each bowl is very finely pot- The quality of the painting and the very fine potting suggest
ted with a thin wall. The beveled foot-rings are high and they were originally made for the imperial palace.
narrow, and the bases are glazed. SL

PROVENANCE NOTES
Harry G. Steele [1881-1941], Pasadena; his widow, Grace C. Steele. 1. The Daoist yin-yang symbol represents the duality of
opposing forces in the universe, out of whose complementary
HE DECORATION ON THE INTERIOR of these bowls COn- action reality emerges.
Tsists of a double circle at the center enclosing a cir- 2. On the symbolism of the eight trigrams, see Williams 1976,
cular yin-yang symbol in underglaze blue and overglaze 148-151.

226 D E C O R A T I V E A R T S