Page 35 - Bonhams Chinese Art September 2015 NY
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A set of three large famille rose ‘peacock’ dishes
Yongzheng/Qianlong
Each finely enamelled en-suite to the well with peacocks amongst
peony and rockwork, the wide flat rims decorated with floral sprays
and foliate cartouches on diaper.
39.6cm (15 5/8in) diam. (3).
£5,000 - 6,000 HK$60,000 - 72,000
CNY48,000 - 58,000
In Chinese symbolism the peacock is strongly associated with rank
and wealth. A picture of a peacock spreading its tail is a visual rebus
for 孔雀開屏, ‘a significant fortune is awaiting you’. Peacock imagery
was used on official badge insignia for third rank civil servants during
the Qing Dynasty and peacock feathers themselves are found
embellishing robes and issuing from the button finials of Manchu official
hats.
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