Page 234 - Sothebys Important Chinese Art April 3 2018

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A BLUE AND WHITE MOULDED 元 青花松梅雙清暗龍紋高足盌
‘DRAGON’ STEM BOWL
YUAN DYNASTY
well potted with deep rounded sides rising to
a flaring rim, supported on a tall ribbed and
slightly splayed stem, the interior moulded with
two dragons striding amongst scrolling clouds
encircling a floral spray in underglaze blue, all
below a classic scroll around the rim, the exterior
similarly painted with a band of ‘The Three
Friends of Winter’ (prunus, pine and bamboo)
11.2 cm, 4⅜ in.
HK$ 600,000-800,000
US$ 77,000-103,000

In its shape, design and painting style, the
present vessel is an archetypal example of blue
and white porcelain from the Yuan dynasty (1279-
1368). Yuan designs reflect the artistic freedom
and innovative climate encouraged by the Mongol
rulers, who gave potters employed by the Fuliang
Porcelain Bureau, located in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi
province and established in 1278, a free hand to
create blue and white vessels that were greatly
sought after in both the domestic and export
markets. The addition of moulded dragons on
the interior of the present piece is an attractive
contrast with the cobalt blue and would have
provided the owner with an added dimension of
enjoyment.
Stem bowls portraying the ‘Three Friends of
Winter’ are rare; see one decorated with flowering
prunus branches on the exterior and a figure
of Han Zhongli on the interior, the sides also
moulded with dragons, sold in these rooms, 8th
October 2009, lot 1690. Related stem bowls
moulded with dragons on the well are more
commonly known painted with cobalt dragons
on the exterior; see one in the Palace Museum,
Beijing, illustrated in the Complete Collection of
Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White
Porcelain with Underglaze Red (I), Hong Kong,
2000, pl. 12; another in the Palmer collection,
published in Harry Garner, Oriental Blue and
White Porcelain, London, 1954, pl. 2A; one,
from the Stephen Junkunc III collection, sold at
Christie’s New York, 29th March 2006, lot 420;
and a fourth example, sold in these rooms, 5th
April 2017, lot 3673.

232 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比