Page 184 - 2020 Sept Important Chinese Art Sotheby's NYC Asia Week

9/2/2020 Important Chinese Art | Sotheby's

These prints proved to be a very useful resource in providing a visual template that allowed artists to more readily satisfy the
demand for the subject matter whether destined for the imperial household or for mass consumption.

The present vase illustrates several scenes based on the woodblock prints. Among the scenes depicted are, 'Zhang Departs for the
Capital' when the lovers sorrowfully part as the young scholar sets out to take the imperial examinations; and 'Zhang Sheng
visiting Pujiu Temple' depicting Zhang Sheng being shown around the monastery by the abbot but distracted by the beautiful Cui
Yingying who strolls in the garden with her attendant Hong Niang.

Compare an octagonal pewter covered vase depicting scenes of pavilions and figures in gardens with inscription dated to the
Jiajing period, sold three times in these rooms, first, 9th October 1957, lot 194; second, 5th December 1972, lot 210, and then
again, 2nd November 1979, lot 105.

Scenes from the play are often illustrated in porcelain, see a large cylindrical vase depicting twenty-four scenes from the drama in
the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Stacey Pierson, Chinese Ceramics, London, 2009, pl. 95.

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