Extremely Rare Pair of Chinese Wucai Ovoid Jars and Covers, Shunzhi (1644-1661)

Ref: W597

£ 30,000

Pair of Chinese wucai ovoid jars and covers, Shunzhi (1644-1661), the pear-shaped bodies decorated in coloured enamels and underglaze cobalt blue with scholars in flowing robes reclining against ceramic vases and drinking wine served by attendants in a rocky garden setting with pine trees and plantain, potted chrysanthemum and scholarly accoutrements including a guzheng and sections of a weiqi board; inscribed with two lines reading 西風索莫九秋餘已到重陽菊米舒 (‘the solemn western winds have continued for more than nine autumns/ it is already Chongyang, with abundance of chrysanthemum and rice’); the rims with bands of blue scrolling pattern

Dimensions:

Height: 17 cm (6 3/4in.)

Condition:

These vases have been repaired; condition report to follow

Notes:

The label on the base ‘Tonying’, is C. T. Loo’s shop in Paris. For the rare shape of the jar see 'The Complete Treasures of the Palace Museum' ISBN 978-7-5323-5194-7 p.140

Chongyang is a Chinese festival dating from the Eastern Han (25-220 AD) celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and is thus also known as the ‘Double Ninth’ festival. The legend upon which Chongyang is based tells of a young man called Hengling who vanquished an evil spirit inhabiting the Nu River and causing a terrible sickness in the local village. He did this by distributing chrysanthemum and dogwood among the villagers before leading them up a mountain. Enticed by the smell of chrysanthemum and dogwood, the demon emerged from the river and was defeated by Hengling in combat. Consequently Chongyang customs in China include chrysanthemum viewing, mountain climbing and drinking chrysanthemum wine with family and friends. As the word for ‘nine’ is a homophone for ‘long’, the day is also associated with longevity, and was designated an official seniors' day in 1989.