A pair of blue and white pear shaped vases, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722).
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These pear-shaped vases have a straight slender neck and a low foot with a slightly recessed glazed base. They are both decorated in an intense cobalt blue with three equestrian figures and a foot attendant - all of whom are crossing a pavilion terrace towards a boatman who is punting a craft. There is a large branch of prunus-heads at the base of each neck and the rim is decorated with a band of hatch-work. Height 13,5 cm.
One restored.
Provenance
Van Stockinus, Velingen, 2006.
The Avalon Collection Part II.
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.
Exhibitions
For similar pair of vases see “The Jarras Collection/Part I: Fine Chinese Export Porcelain” Christies London 13 June 1990.
Literature
A similar single vase is illustrated by both Sir Harry Gardner in “Oriental Blue and White” Plate 69A and in “Porcelains in the Frick Collection” by John Pope, Page 30 and one can also be seen in The Collection of the British Museum, London, Ref: Franks.1939.
More information
It is commonly considered that the scene is taken from “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms”.