Page 272 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

19/2-43-55 (C-6io)
Cup

Chinese Republic (1915-1930)
Porcelain with overglaze enamels, 5.2 x 7.7 (2 Vi6 x 3)
Harry G. Steele Collection, Gift of Grace C. Steele
INSCRIPTIONS
Spuriously inscribed in standard script on the base in overglaze
blue enamel in two columns of two characters each: Qianlong
nian zhi [made in the reign of Qianlong]
Above the image of the scholars on the opposite side is a four-
character inscription: Song quan dingyue [making a vow by the
pine spring]

TECHNICAL NOTES
This cup has a wide, ribbed foot-ring enclosing a slightly
recessed, glazed base.

PROVENANCE
Harry G. Steele [1881-1941], Pasadena; his widow, Grace C. Steele.

N THE EXTERIOR A SNOWSCAPE with two scholars on a
Oriverbank is painted in black, white, and brown
enamels. There are decorative borders in overglaze blue
enamel at the lip and above the foot; these are typical of
early twentieth-century porcelains of the Hongxian
period (c. 1915-1916). l On the side opposite the scholars
is a poetic couplet written in the running script style of
the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795):
To have fame is to leisurely enjoy wealth and honor,
In affairs of the heart, one has the detachment
of gods and immortals.
SL

NOTES
i. Compare van Oort 1970, 224-225, pi. 60.

foot-ring and reignmark
on base of 1972.43.55
inscription on 1972.43.55

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