Page 68 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

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A fine blue and white ‘three friends of winter’ saucer dish
Jiaqing seal mark and of the period
Centrally decorated with auspicious pine, prunus and bamboo, the
exterior depicting a continuous scene of a lady seated within a lavish
dwelling looking at two boys playing in the garden, the base with a six-
character Imperial zhuanshu seal mark.
18cm diam.
HK$300,000 - 500,000
US$39,000 - 65,000

清嘉慶 青花歲寒三友圖盤 青花「大清嘉慶年製」篆書款

The ‘three friends of winter’ which translate as suihan sanyou, represent
pine trees, bamboo and prunus blossoms. They are regarded as ‘three
friends’ because they flourish and do not wither; they would always
‘accompany each other’ during the cold winter season unlike other
plants. Together they symbolise steadfastness, perseverance and
resilience, which is highly regarded in Confucian teachings as the
scholar-gentleman’s ideal.

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