- 320
A BLUE AND WHITE 'WATER MARGIN' DISH QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description
- Porcelain
- Diameter 10 3/4 in., 27.3 cm
the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot, the interior boldly painted with three characters from The Water Margin (Shuihu zhuan) arranged in a triad formation against a white ground, Wu Song at center standing with arms folded flanked by Ruan Xiaoqi to the left brandishing a two-pronged spear and Mu Hong in full military attire armed with a long spear and a sword, a thin band encircling the interior rim, two sprigs of bamboo wrapping the exterior, the base with an apocryphal six-character Jiajing reign mark within a double circle, coll. no. 306
Provenance
Marchant, London, 2001.
Condition
The dish is in overall good condition with a few scattered frits and a burst glaze bubble flake to the rim and the rim slightly uneven.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The characters depicted are from the 14th century novel The Water Margin (Shuihu zhuan) variously attributed to Shi Nai'an (ca. 1296-1372) and Luo Guanzhong (ca. 1330-1400). It tells the story of the bandit leader Song Jiang, a historical personality at the end of the Northern Song dynasty, and his fictitious 108 companions, who have all turned to banditry because of oppression by corrupt officials. The bandits are portrayed as noble and upright men fighting for justice.
This dish and those comprising the following lot in this sale represent a category of Kangxi period dishes that feature a trio of characters drawn from popular literary and historical narratives. The background of the dish is normally unadorned, however in rare cases spare landscape elements are incorporated into the composition, as seen in the proceeding lot. The figures on the present dish are identified by the inscribed tallies hanging from their belts. While the image does not appear to illustrate a particular episode from The Water Margin, it does demonstrate the artisan's skill in portraying figures from multiple perspectives and a range of costumes.
This dish and those comprising the following lot in this sale represent a category of Kangxi period dishes that feature a trio of characters drawn from popular literary and historical narratives. The background of the dish is normally unadorned, however in rare cases spare landscape elements are incorporated into the composition, as seen in the proceeding lot. The figures on the present dish are identified by the inscribed tallies hanging from their belts. While the image does not appear to illustrate a particular episode from The Water Margin, it does demonstrate the artisan's skill in portraying figures from multiple perspectives and a range of costumes.