Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Chinese underglaze blue and copper-red yan-yan vase, Kangxi (1662-1722), decorated with the Eight Horses of Mu Wang among pine tress and rockwork, height: 17 5/18in. (44cm); condition: fritting to rim and chip to foot rim; for a similarly decorated vase see the British Museum Collection, Museum Number: Franks.284. The 'Eight Horses of Wang Mu' was a popular motif decorating porcelain pieces from the Transitional through to the Yongzheng periods. The story originates from a historical romance, the Mu tianzhi zhuan, an account of King Mu (1023 B.C. - 957 B.C.) of the Zhou dynasty. It is said that King Mu travelled around his kingdom in a chariot drawn by eight horses in search of the heavenly paradise. The eight horses were all given a distinctive name and were eventually let out to graze after many years of faithful service to the King. This pattern was also copied by Derby in the late 18th century. SOLD
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
