Lot 320
  • 320

A FAMILLE-VERTE 'LADY OF THE RED WHISK' WEIQI BOX QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |

Estimate
8,000 - 10,000 USD
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Description

  • Diameter 4 3/4  in., 12.1 cm
of slightly compressed globular form, richly enameled around the exterior with a continuous narrative scene depicting Li Shimen, a contender to the throne, in red playing against a Daoist master, with Liu Wenjing observing the game from above, Qui Ran Ke, identifiable by the long beard and Li Jing entering the room, all set within an elegant pavilion, the reverse with a cluster of wutong trees, with a pierced ruyi-head wood cover (2), coll. no. 1577

Provenance

Christie's New York, 29th March 2006, lot 488.

Literature

Jeffrey P. Stamen, Cynthia Volk with Yibin Ni, A Culture Revealed, Kangxi-Era Chinese Porcelain from the Jie Rui Tang Collection, Bruges, 2017, cat. no. 41.

Condition

The box is in good overall condition. There is a faint star-shaped glaze crack to the base. Please note that this lot includes a stand, frame or other component made from a type of Chinese hardwood, which, if exported, will require a CITES permit to leave the United States.
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

"A single play that claims victory" a maxim referring to disputed assertions to power being settled by a game of weiqi rather than on a battlefield, is aptly illustrated on the present box. The story, which takes place at the end of the Sui dynasty (581-618 AD) revolves around a beautiful courtesan Zhang Chuchen, known as Hong Fu Nü (Lady with the Red Whisk), who escapes from a powerful warlord, Yang Su, by eloping with the play's young hero, Li Jing. In their travels the couple encounter Qiu Ran Ke and Li Shimen, two contenders vying to establish a new dynasty. The present lot depicts the moment that determines which of the two rivals is the most deserving. Li Shimen proves his worthiness, establishes a new dynasty and becomes the second Tang emperor, Taizong. The saga of Hong Fu Nü and Li Shimen's skill at weiqi was recorded as early as the late Tang dynasty in The Tale of the Curly-Bearded Guest by Du Guanting (850-933) and enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the late Ming dynasty with The Story of Hongfu by Zhang Fengyi (1527-1613).