Page 143 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art London Nov. 2019

Each piece depicts scenes from the popular 13th century drama secret union. When Yingying’s mother discovered what had happened,
Xixiang Ji (西廂記), or ‘The Romance of the Western Chamber’. The she reluctantly agreed to a formal marriage on the condition that
play narrates a secret love affair between the young scholar Zhang Zhang must pass the Civil Service examination. To the joy of the young
Sheng, and Cui Yingying, daughter of a chief minister. lovers, Zhang Sheng passes, is appointed to high office, and the two
are finally married.
Although scholar Zhang and Cui Yingying fell in love with each other
at a Buddhist monastery, Cui Yingying’s mother disapproved of the Compare with a very similar blue and white dinner service, Qianlong,
match because of Zhang’s low station. Yingying’s maid Hongniang, but slightly smaller with 120 pieces, which was sold at Sotheby’s New
however, took pity on them and arranged to bring them together in a York, 21 January 2011, lot 27.