Page 198 - Nov 29 2017 HK Important Chinese Ceramics

base fig. 1 Hirano Kotoken, Exhibition of Chinese Ceramics, Tamaya
Department Store, Kyushu, October 1979
底部
圖一 平野古陶軒，《中國古陶磁展》，九州，1979 年 10 月
3001

A RARE BLUE AND WHITE ‘HOOPOE AND a fruiting branch which often extends beyond the central panel. For
PEACH’ DISH example, a charger with a pair of crested birds perched on a flowering
plant is illustrated in The Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Masterpiece of
JIAJING SIX-CHARACTER MARK WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF Ming and Qing Ceramics, Osaka, 2011, p. 19, pl. 15, and a further charger
THE PERIOD (1522-1566) with two birds on a tea plant is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese
The dish is delicately decorated in cobalt blue with a ‘flower-and- Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, London, 1986, vol. II,
bird’ composition with a peach tree rising from one edge of the no. 595.
central panel with its branches extended upon which perch two A large dish with two longtailed birds perched on pomegranate tree
hoopoe birds, one swinging downwards and the other upright. and a blue and white cup with two birds and a peach tree, both dated
The exterior is decorated with two sinuous five-clawed dragons to the Jiajing period, are illustrated in Yishujia gongjushu bianweihui
emitting lotus scrolls from their opened mouths. The details on (Artist’s Reference Book Editorial Board), Mingdai taoci daquan, Hong
Kong, 1983, p. 319 and p. 329 respectively. The legacy of this aesthetic
each side are finely depicted in various shades of cobalt blue. can be seen in Yongzheng-period moonflasks crafted after Yongle
8 æ in. (22.5 cm.) diam., Japanese paulownia wood box originals, one of which is housed in the Percival David Collection, now
on long-term loan to the British Museum, London, no. A 612.
HK$400,000-600,000 US$52,000-77,000
The distinctive dragons on the reverse of the dish with their elongated
PROVENANCE almost foliate bodies amongst lotus scrolls are adapted from those on
Hirano Kotoken, Tokyo. Chenghua porcelain. A stem cup with winged kui-dragon spewing lotus
A Japanese private collection, acquired in 1979 scrolls is illustrated in Yishujia gongjushu bianweihui (Artist’s Reference
Book Editorial Board), Mingdai taoci daquan, Hong Kong, 1983, p.187. A
EXHIBITED blue and white ‘dragon and lotus’ bowl is illustrated in Jessica Harrison-
Hirano Kotoken, Exhibition of Chinese Ceramics, Tamaya Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p. 221, pl.
9:11.
Department Store, Kyushu, October 1979, cover illustration and
no. 57 (fig. 1).
明嘉靖 青花戴勝桃樹紋盤 六字楷書款
LITERATURE
Hirano Kotoken, Exhibition of Chinese Ceramics, Tamaya 來源
Department Store, Kyushu, October 1979, Catalogue, cover and 平野古陶軒，東京；日本私人珍藏，入藏於1979年
no. 57
The hoopoe, daisheng, is recognised by its crown of feathers, and it 展覽
is named in English for its distinctive call. Peaches are a well-known 玉屋百貨公司，《中國古陶磁展》，1979年10月，圖錄圖版
symbol for long life, and hence it can be posited that this dish may have
been produced to commemorate a birthday. 57號及封面
The source of the imagery and composition of the current lot was 著錄
inspired by the ‘bird and flower’ chargers popular in the Yongle period, 平野古陶軒，《中國古陶磁展》，九州，1979年10月，
which in turn was inspired by the court paintings of the 10th century.
The Yongle dishes feature either a single or a pair of birds perched on 圖錄圖版57號及封面
196