Page 65 - Sotheby's Jie Rui Tang Collection Part II Kangxi Porcelain March 2019

347 A FINE FAMILLE- 清康熙 五彩西廂記人物故事圖鳳尾尊
VERTE ‘ROMANCE
OF THE WESTERN
CHAMBER’ PHOENIX-
TAIL VASE

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period 來源
Marchant，倫敦，2003年
the baluster form body sweeping to a wide
flaring rim, the rounded sides vibrantly
enameled with a continuous animated scene
depicting the victorious moment of Huiming,
robes flying in the wind, running alongside
General Du, sitting astride a galloping steed
with arms raised preparing to throw a long
lance, in pursuit of the fleeing rebel Sun Feihu,
observed in the distance from the monastery
walls by the abbot and Zhang, the upper
section of the vase portraying an official,
accompanied by a large retinue, respectfully
presenting a scroll to a humble farmer followed
from behind by a large water buffalo, the base
plain, coll. no. 1337
Height 18⅛ in., 46 cm
PROVENANCE
Marchant, London, 2003.
The present vase illustrates two popular
narratives that served to encourage the dream
of achieving an official rank. The enormously
popular play, Romance of the Western
Chamber, recounts the travails of a young
man who finally wins permission to marry
the woman he loves. The scene of an official
granting a scroll to a humble farmer references
hopeful poems of the period such as A Farmer
in the Morning Becomes a Court Official in the
Evening.
$ 30,000-50,000

KANGXI: THE JIE RUI TANG COLLECTION, PART II 63