A rare blue and white 'figural' brushpot, Qing dynasty, Early Kangxi period | 清康熙初 青花牛郎織女圖筆筒

Finely painted, the present brushpot is rare on account of its depictions of different scenes from the love story of Niulang (the Cowherd) and Zhinü (the Weaving Maid). It recounts the lovers' first romantic encounter as well as their eventual separation forced by Queen Mother of the West. Yet, despite the separation, one is reminded of the eventual reunion of Niulang and Zhinü from the numerous painted magpies surrounding the figures in the scenes. In the popular folklore, the story ends with the lovers permitted to be reunited every year on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar when magpies come together to form a bridge that allows the separated lovers to cross over and reunite.

For a Kangxi blue and white vase depicting the same story, see one previously in the Jie Rui Tang Collection, sold in these rooms, 20th March 2018, lot 315. For brushpots painted in a similar style, see one included in The Dr. Lowell Young Collection, Marchant, London, 2012, cat. no. 20; and another included in Underglaze Blue and Copper Red, Marchant, London, 2016, cat. no. 6.