A Chinese blue and white 'Xi Xiang Ji' brushpot (Bitong), Ch...

Hammer

€16,500

A Chinese blue and white 'Xi Xiang Ji' brushpot (Bitong), Chenghua mark, Kangxi

Dia.: 10,4 cm - H.: 12,4 cm

Provenance:
- Marc Michot, Bruges.
- The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above in 1983 and accompanied by their certificate of authenticity. (see added scan)

A cylindrical brushpot with a gently flaring mouth rim and foot, finely decorated in underglaze cobalt blue. The exterior is painted with a scene from the Romance of the Western Chamber (Xixiang Ji). It depicts the scholar Zhang Sheng holding a fan, facing Cui Yingying, who gracefully raises her hand to her mouth. Standing a short distance away is Hongniang, the devoted maidservant whose clever interventions bring the two lovers together.
The Romance of the Western Chamber, first written during the Yuan dynasty by Wang Shifu, is one of the most celebrated love stories in Chinese literature. It tells the tale of the secret romance between the scholar Zhang Sheng and the young noblewoman Cui Yingying, whose union is ultimately made possible through the ingenuity of Yingying's maid, Hongniang. The story became immensely popular in Chinese painting, woodblock prints, and porcelain decoration during the late Ming and Qing dynasties.

Condition reports and additional high-resolution zoomable images are available on our website www.rm-auctions.com, or by request via info@rm-auctions.com. The Autumn sale continues on Saturday 5 September, full catalogue available on our website soon.