Page 223 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art II
P. 223
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION PROVENANCE:
2366 Acquired in Hong Kong in the 1950-1960s.
A RARE WUCAI HEXALOBED BASIN
WANLI SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE WITHIN A DOUBLE The qilin, which can be seen seated on a rustic stool in the center of
CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1573-1619) the present basin, is an auspicious symbol of longevity, fertility and wise
administration, as it only appears during the reign of a benevolent ruler. It
The basin is heavily potted with deep, slightly fared sides, and is is also associated with the Confucian virtue of ren, as it is benevolent to all
decorated in the bottom of the interior with fve small mythical beasts living creatures. When combined with a boy seated on its back, the qilin
running around a qilin seated on a rustic stool in the center, below represents the bringing of illustrious sons.
further mythical beasts amidst trees in the well. Similar beasts are
shown racing in a continuous landscape on the top of the everted rim, A Wanli-marked wucai basin of similar shape, but decorated with designs
and the underside is decorated with lingzhi scroll above rose sprays on of fsh amidst aquatic plants, is illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, vol.
each lobe of the exterior. The reign mark is within a recessed circle in I, Tokyo, 1976, no. 919, and another example decorated with a fsh design
the center of the otherwise unglazed base. was sold at Sotheby’s London, 15 December 1987, lot 161.
14º in. (36.4 cm.) wide
明萬曆 五彩瑞獸圖六瓣式面盆 雙圈六字楷書款
$30,000-50,000
(mark)
(another view)
221
