Page 41 - Fine Chinese, Japanese and Buddhist Art September 28, 2018 Galerie Zacke

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A PAIR OF FAMILLE ROSE ENAMELED PLANTERS, A FAMILLE ROSE ‘COCKEREL EATING FLY’ PORCELAIN BOWL, 18 CENTURY
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HONGXIAN MARKS, REPUBLIC PERIOD Four-character Yongzheng mark painted in cobalt-blue under the glaze within a square reserve
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The massive porcelain vessels painted in vivid Famille Rose China, 18 century
enamels in light relief. Five characteristic spur marks on the
bottom of each planter The shallow bowl is raised on a high foot and decorated on the exterior in vivid famille rose
China, four-character Hongxian marks enameled in blue in a enamels with a cockerel amidst peony, daihu rocks and various other flowers. The gist of this
square reserve and possibly of the period (1915-1916), or earlier unusual scene, however, is that the cockerel has just caught a large fly in his beak. As we
republic period (1916 - ca. 1920/25) know, the cockerel, or rooster, is a honored creature in China and one of the twelve animals
forming the Chinese zodiac. However, the cockerel is not only regarded as a fierce-some,
Each thickly molded, raised on four low feet and delicately wise, courageous and loyal animal in Chinese society, it also was highly valued by ancient
painted with a depiction of Chrysanthemum amid their leaves entomologists for working hard to eat up insect pests. Interestingly, the Chinese were, as in so
and tendrils on a turquoise ground. Each of the four corners with many things, the first to discover the use of natural enemies to control pests, for example ants
a gilt shòu longevity-character. The Chinese character shòu (⮧) on citrus to reduce pest infestations, but also cockerels to combat fly pests. This movement
is usually found on textiles, furniture, ceramics and jewelry, and started already around 300 b. c. and has a long tradition in agricultural China, because insect
may appear alone or surrounded by flowers, bats, or other good pests have always been a significant issue, especially during the earlier Qing dynasty, where
luck symbols, but will always hold a central position, such as in they resulted in extreme famines. Even during the devastating period of the Sino-Japanese War
the present example. (2) (1937-1945), the Chinese governments made great efforts to mobilize applied entomologists
to combat against agricultural insect-pests. Summarizing, it can be said that the present bowl
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Shape: Square is not only a solid piece of 18 century famille rose porcelain, but also a fascinating testimonial
Weight: 727 grams each to an important aspect of Chinese history, and furthermore, an ingenious yet simple (and very
Dimensions: Each 12,4 x 12,4 x 6,2 cm Chinese) solution for a crucial problem.
Condition: Perfect condition with only minor traces of wear, as
expected on an old piece. Few minor manufacturing flaws Shape: Bowl
Provenance: American private collection Weight: 105,4 grams
Dimensions: 11,3 cm diameter
Literature comparison: Kuo T’ing-i et al. Historical Annals of the Condition: There are some expected light surface wear to the enamels. The foot rim has
ROC (1911–1949). Vol 1. pp 207–41. possibly been lightly buffed. Otherwise absolutely perfect condition
Provenance: American private collection, purchase at Christies. A photocopy of the Christies
Auction result comparison: ASIAN DECORATIVE ARTS. invoice will be released to the new owner
Bonham’s, 14 October 2014, SAN FRANCISCO, lot 6284. (for a
related pair of Hongxian planters) Auction result comparison: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Export Art. Christies,
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London, 8 November 2005, lot 124. (for comparison with an 18 century famille rose ‘cockerel
ᶨ⮵㳒ㅚ⸜㫦䏢䐗䰱⼑剙䙮 and insects’ dish)
䰱⼑↠䲳炻⸽悐㚱Ḽᾳ溆䉨⌘姀炻᷎⌘㚱”㳒ㅚ⸜墥”
ᷕ⚳炻㳒ㅚ⸜墥 (1915-1916)炻ㆾ㮹⚳⇅㛇(1916军1920/25) 晵㬋㫦”慹暆⓬垚”䰱⼑䒟䠿炻18ᶾ䲨
⑩䚠㤝Ἓ 晵㬋⸜墥⚃⫿㫦
伶⚳䥩Ṣ㓞啷 ᷕ⚳炻18ᶾ䲨
⑩䚠㤝Ἓ
EstimateġEUR 600,- 伶⚳䥩Ṣ㓞啷炻㕤Ἓ⢓⼿岤ℍ炻⎗㍸ὃ㕘屟ᷣ䤐㒂⼙㛔ˤ
Starting price EUR 300,-
EstimateġEUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,-

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