Page 108 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Fine Chinese Art

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A BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE-GOURD VASE
Chongzhen
The lower section painted in vivid blue with a
continuous scene of two kneeling attendants
proffering a book and cap of office before a dignitary
followed by attendants carrying halberds and
banners, all beneath three bands of leafy scrolls and
floral sprays.
34cm (13 3/8in) high

£15,000 - 20,000
CNY130,000 - 170,000

明崇禎 青花加官圖葫蘆瓶

The present vase depicts attendants holding a tray
with an official hat on it, approaching a dignitary.
This signifies that the dignitary is about to be given
an official promotion. Although to receive an official
promotion was the ambition of many scholars, the
present vase also highlights a dilemma faced by
the literati during the turbulent transitional period
between the late Ming and early Qing dynasty. To
serve the emperor was to fulfil the highest Confucian
obligation, but to serve a negligent Ming emperor
could be dangerous, while to serve an invading
Manchu emperor would compromise loyalty. See
J.Curtis, Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth
Century: Landscapes, Scholars’ Motifs and
Narratives, New York, 1995, p.144.

The dignitary depicted in this vase could possibly be
the Han dynasty general Han Xin (died 196 BC). Han
Xin was enfeoffed as the King of Qi by Emperor Liu
Bang for his loyal service, only to be accused later of
rebellion and executed. Before his execution, Han Xin
exclaimed: ‘it is true when people say: the hunting
dog becomes food after it is used to hunt game!’

Compare with a dish, Shunzhi, with a similar motif
illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures
of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain
with Underglaze Red (III), Hong Kong, 2002, pp.4-5.
The same motif is also found on a blue and white gu
vase, Chongzhen, illustrated in Late Ming: Chinese
Porcelains from the Butler Collections, Luxembourg,
2008, p.119.

A blue and white beaker vase, circa 1640, with the
same motif, was sold in these rooms, 12 May 2016,
lot 39.

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