Page 119 - Jie Rui Tang Kangxi porcelain mar 2018

377 A FAMILLE- ⌲Ꮴ⛆ ρᒖ䘚ၽحᚣสృ᷿ỹ⨣
VERTE ‘BIRTHDAY’
ROULEAU VASE

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period ҳ⎽
Ralph M Chait Galleries秣秉2003䎃
the cylindrical body supported surmounted
by a columnar neck and galleried rim, the
body " nely painted in bright enamels with gilt
details with a continuous scene showing the
Tang dynasty general Guo Ziyi, seated on a
tiger-skin throne before a draped table set with
scholarly objects and colorful pennants and
receiving a birthday gift from a dignitary, the
dignitary in a green four-clawed dragon robe
bowing reverently below, groups of soldiers,
scholar-o? cials, and attendants observing
the exchange, the shoulder with stylized shou
characters in shaped cartouches alternating
with ruyi heads all against a green wanzi-
fret ground, the neck with a selection of the
‘Hundred Antiques’ and auspicious animals,
the rim with a red and green diaper band, the
base with a double circle in underglaze blue,
coll. no. 1391.
Height 17⅝ in., 44.8 cm
PROVENANCE
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, 2003.
General Guo Ziyu (697-781), also known as
Prince Zhongwu of Fengyang, was the most
distinguished general of the Tang dynasty.
He was celebrated for quelling the An Lushan
Rebellion (755-763) and for is contributions to
expeditions against the Uighurs and Tibetans.
His remarkable military victories earned him
fame and wealth, and he is often depicted
in banquets amidst myriad troops, tribute
bearers, and descendants. Here, he is shown
enjoying a birthday celebration. The General’s
inlaid long sword symbolically positioned at the
center of the pennants, which represent the
task he has relayed to o? cers. To emphasize
the birthday theme, the vase is festooned with
emblems of longevity and blessings, including
shou characters at Guo Ziyi’s table and around
the shoulder, as well as cranes, ruyi heads, and
wanzi at the shoulder and neck. The subject
matter and iconography indicate that the vase
was designed as a birthday gift, wishing the
recipient success, longevity, and good fortune.
Similar examples include a rouleau vase in
the Palace Museum, Beijing illustrated in
The Complete Collection of Treasures of the
Palace Museum, Porcelains in Polychrome and
Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 69.,
and one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 2nd
May 2005, lot 607.
$ 20,000-30,000

KANGXI: THE JIE RUI TANG COLLECTION 117