Page 396 - Christies September 13 to 14th Fine Chinese Works of Art New York

ANOTHER PROPERTY
1388
A FAMILLE ROSE OVOID JAR
YONGZHENG-QIANLONG PERIOD (1723-1795)
The ovoid jar is decorated with a phoenix painted in bright shades of pink, yellow, green, and iron-red,
standing on a tall, jagged rock, amidst blossoming peonies, chrysanthemum and white magnolia, with
birds perched on the branches and in fight, and with Mandarin ducks below.
13 ¾ in. (35 cm.) diam.
$25,000-35,000

The lush imagery depicted on the present screen is a favorite theme in Chinese painting and the decorative
arts known as ‘Hundred birds courting the phoenix’ (bainiao chaohuang or bainiao chaofeng). According
to T. T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 160-1, the theme is also
known as bainiao chaowang (Hundred birds paying homage to the king), as the phoenix is the queen of
birds, and “when it fies, the rest of the birds follow.” The phoenix, probably symbolizing the empress,
serve as the focal point of the vase and is depicted amidst blossoming peonies. The author explains, ibid.,
p. 160, that the pairing of the king of birds with the king of fowers, the peony, augurs great blessings and
prosperity, and suggests the expression, fugui jixiang (May there be wealth, rank and good fortune).

Other fowers depicted in the screen have also been chosen not only for their attractiveness, but also
because of what they symbolize. The combination of white magnolia and peony is particularly auspicious.
Together these three fowers suggest the wish ‘May your noble house be blessed with wealth and honour’.
The stalks of bamboo, shown emerging from behind the rocks, are suggestive not only of scholarly
pursuits, but also symbolize integrity.
清雍正/乾隆 粉彩鳳紋圓罐

(another view)

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