Page 122 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

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A RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE ‘SIMULATED BAMBOO
AND WOOD’ ‘ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER’
VASES AND STANDS
Yongzheng
Each of square waisted form, with simulated ‘spotted bamboo’ edges
framing leaf-shaped panels reserved on a ground of prunus and
bamboo amidst cloud scrolls, the panels depicting scenes from
The Romance of the Western Chamber, the porcelain stands with
shaped aprons and ruyi-cloud feet delightfully painted with swirls
of chestnut and umber browns in imitation of wood.
Each 45.5cm (17 3/4in) high (4).

£40,000 - 60,000
CNY350,000 - 530,000

清雍正 粉彩開光西廂記圖方觚一對

Each vase has four panels depicting scenes from the popular 13th
century drama Xixiang Ji (西廂記), or ‘The Romance of the Western
Chamber’. The play narrates a secret love affair between the young
scholar Zhang Sheng, and Cui Yingying, daughter of a chief minister.

Although scholar Zhang and Cui Yingying fell in love with each other
at a Buddhist monastery, Cui Yingying’s mother disapproved of the
match because of Zhang’s low station. Yingying’s maid Hongniang,
however, took pity on them and arranged to bring them together in a
secret union. When Yingying’s mother discovered what had happened,
she reluctantly agreed to a formal marriage on the condition that
Zhang must pass the civil service examination. To the joy of the young
lovers, Zhang Sheng passes, is appointed to high office, and the two
are finally married.

A pair of large famille rose vases, dated early 18th century, bearing
similar scenes from the ‘Romance of the Western Chamber’ and with
spotted bamboo edges, is illustrated by O.V.Krog et al, Treasures
from Imperial China: The Forbidden City and the Royal Danish Court,
Copenhagen, 2006, pp.605-606, no.185, where it is noted that a
similar pair of vases that were in the Danish Kunstkammer, but are
now in the National Museum in Copenhagen, were brought from
Guangzhou on the ‘Kronprins Christian’ in 1732. See also the detailed
photographs of the vases, pp.196-199.

For another comparable pair of vases with very similar scenes and
bamboo edges, dated circa 1730, see A.Varela Santos, Yongzheng
Chinese Export Porcelain: A Private Collection, London, 2005,
pp.72-73, pl.24.

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