Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Large Chinese famille rose dish, Yongzheng (1723-35), decorated to the centre with a scene from the tale of The Peony Pavilion; the beauty Du Liniang and her maid Chunxiang standing with fans and finery within the fenced garden of peony and prunus, birds and butterflies above their heads, the young scholar Liu Mengmei, his tutor Chen Zuiliang and servants peering at them from the pavilion itself, the rim decorated with four cartouches containing fish and crustaceans, against a floral cell pattern with gilded lotus blossom in pink and red. sold
Dimensions:
Diameter:48 cm. (18 7/8in.)
Condition:
two hairlines to the rim neatly sealed and consolidated and 2 rim chips filled
Notes:
The Peony Pavilion is a drama originally written as Kunqu opera and first performed at the Pavilion of Prince Teng in 1598. It tells of the love story between Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei, incorporating dream sequences and supernatural elements with their pursuit of free love. The scene depicted on this dish is one of 55; when the drama is played in full it can run for over 22 hours.
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
