A blue and white bowl with immortals, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722).
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A rare and finely painted octagonal lobed bowl – in varying tones of under glaze blue – with the eight spreading panels being identical in size - all above a design of petal motifs. Around the inside of the rim, there is a band of diaper ground pattern within which are eight oval reserves, each containing one of the “ Eight Precious Things “. The short lobed foot rim is thick and the base is glazed - displaying a six-character apocryphal Chenghua mark within a double circle.
Each side of this richly decorated bowl is painted with a representation of the “ Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup “ – a group of Tang Dynasty poets who were also known for their love of alcohol. Width 21 cm.
Firingdefects. Minor wear.
Provenance
The Avalon Collection.
This collection, which in the main focuses on the Interregnum and Kangxi periods has been both carefully and sensitively formed over the last twenty-five years. The collector, a member of the English Oriental Ceramic Society, has assembled the collection with an eye for provenance whilst purchasing from old European collections, well-established antique dealers and at auction.
Academically, the pieces have been well researched both in terms of their symbolism and narrative themes. In many instances the imagery on the pieces has been referenced to episodes in the romantic and historic novels of Chinese mythology, which were used extensively in the decoration of seventeenth century Chinese porcelain.
Purchased from Lawrence Auctioneers of Crewkerne, England, November 2005, Lot 680.
Literature
A similar pair of bowls with an inscription in each of the eight panels can be seen in “A Selection from the Collections of Oriental Ceramics”, by Christiaan J.A.Jorg, Pages 92-95, No 60, along with a single bowl in The Avery Bundage Collection, Object ID: 2010:157.
More information
The term "Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup" was first used in a poem by the celebrated Tang poet Du Fu (712-770), who himself was sometimes referred to as the “ninth poet” immortal. The descriptions of the eight poets as depicted on the bowl – following in a clockwise direction- are as follows:
He Zhizhang (665-744) – was a statesman, poet and calligrapher active during the reign of the Tang emperor Xuanzong (713-756). Here he can be seen riding his horse in a drunken state and being supported by an attendant. A second attendant follows carrying a pole on which hangs a lunch box and wine ewer. In front and to the right of the horse is the well into which – according to an anecdote – he fell into whilst drunk.
Li Shizhi (d.747) – was Prime Minister during the later part of the Kaiyan era (712-741) and was known as the “ First Minister of the Left “ – with a reputation for simplicity. He was forced to retire through intrigue and at a later stage committed suicide. The painting shows Minister Li seated before a screen and drinking a cup of wine whilst another attendant – to his right – offers him a second cup. To the forefront of the panel are two large wine jars – one of which has a ladle.
Li Jin – was the nephew of emperor Xuanzong and held a prominent position in government, being titled “ Prince of Ruyang “. Du Fu found the prince a congenial companion and wrote at least one long poem in his honour. Here he can be seen - unsteady in his stance – being offered a cup of wine by his attendant. There is a wine cart and a further attendant to the left of the prince.
Jiao Sui – was a man of humble descent from western China – here he can be seen seated in a landscaped garden with three others - with a pavilion close by. A large pouring vessel – presumably containing wine – can be seen beneath the table.
Su Jin - was a devout Buddhist who rose to become Vice-President of the Board of Revenue and tutor to the then heir apparent. In this depiction he can be seen kneeling on a rug before a statue of the Buddha. In front of him is a single wine cup and to his right a large pot containing a ladle.
Cui Zhonghi - styled Duke of Qi and seen here raising his goblet to the “ blue heavens “. He is surrounded by two attendants - one carries a wine ewer whilst the other can be seen unwrapping a zither.
Zhong Xu (713 -740) - was one of the greatest cursive script calligraphers and an official during the reign of the emperor Xuanzong. Under the influence of wine he would become oblivious to his surroundings and would often fling off his cap in the presence of the court. Here he can be seen with his hat on a small table to his left side. An attendant can be seen stretching out a piece of paper whilst the Tang emperor sits on a wooden chair smiling benignly.