Page 107 - Metropolitan Museum Collection September 2016

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A FAMILLE VERTE ROULEAU VASE

KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

The vase is decorated with a scene of a banquet
celebrating the birthday of the Tang dynasty
general Guo Ziyi, framed by rocks, leafy trees,
and vaporous clouds, below the neck which is
encircled by a blossoming peony branch and
two birds.
18¿ in. (46 cm.) high

$30,000-50,000

PROVENANCE

John D. Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960) Collection.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,
accessioned in 1960.

The banquet scene depicted on this vase,
known as Guo Ziyi zhushou (celebrating Guo
Ziyi’s birthday) or da fugui yi shoukao (grand
wealth, rank, and longevity), conveys a very
auspicious message. The fgure depicted is the
Tang dynasty general Guo Ziyi (AD 697-781).
General Guo served four emperors during
the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907) and was
instrumental in quelling the An Shi Rebellion.
It is recorded that on his 60th birthday, many
family members and offcials came to offer their
congratulations and covered his bed with their
scepters, which were a symbol of offcialdom.
Because Guo enjoyed a successful career and
long life, and his many sons and son-in-laws
were also successful court offcials, he became
the ultimate representative of a blessed man
bestowed with longevity, progeny and an
honorable career.

清康熙 五彩郭子儀祝壽圖棒槌瓶

來源
小約翰．戴維森． 洛克菲勒（1874-1960）珍藏。
紐約大都會藝術博物館，入藏於1960年。

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