Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Chinese famille rose equestrian figure of Wang Zhaojun, Qianlong (1736-95), the lady playing a stringed instrument whilst riding side-saddle upon a piebald horse, all upon a rectangular base, height: 8 1.4in., 21cm. Provenance: from the collection of Lady Ottoline and Philip Morrell, and thence by descent. Lady Ottoline Violet Anne Morrell (16 June 1873 – 21 April 1938) was an English aristocrat and society hostess. Wang Zhaojun was one of the four beauties of ancient China. The story goes that Wang Zhaojun left her hometown to enter the harem of Emperor Yuan. Feeling sad during her journey whilst travelling on horseback she began to play sorrowful tunes on a stringed instrument. A flock of geese flying above heard the music and seeing the beautiful young woman riding the horse forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground. From then on, Zhaojun acquired the nickname "fells geese". SOLD
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
