A RARE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL BOWL

19th century

19th century
Of rounded form inverted towards the top, raised on short foot, the exterior colourfully enamelled with four depictions of a robe-clad figure seated on rockwork amongst tumultuous waves on a ground of turquoise ground, the interior decorated in the well with a medallion enclosing a red five-clawed dragon emerging from crashing waves and rocks by a tortoise against green ground, the cavetto with a tiger, phoenix and qilin against turquoise ground, all reserved against ruyi-shaped cloud scrolls, the base enamelled with a foliate lotus blossom. 22cm (8 5/8in) diam.

十九世紀 銅胎掐絲琺瑯瑞獸紋盌

Provenance:
J. C. Vickery, London
E. A. Parry (1879-1946), London, acquired from the above on 25 August 1924, and thence by descent

來源：
倫敦古董商J. C. Vickery
倫敦E. A. Parry（1879-1946）舊藏，於1924年8月25日購自上者，並由後人保存迄今

The form of the present bowl, unusually inverted towards the rim, as well as the decoration, suggest it may have been used for a ritual purpose or as an alms bowl. The interior is decorated with five mythological creatures, dragon, tortoise, phoenix, tiger and qilin. This is an unusual combination which varies from the known combination of the Five Heavenly Beasts, which includes a number of these creatures, but not the qilin, and in other colours.

盌束口，弧壁深腹，下承圈足，略呈缽形。外壁飾四人著袍立於礁石之上，內壁飾龍、龜、虎、鳳、麒麟五種瑞獸。《禮記》中將麟鳳龜龍稱為「四靈」，而道家則以青龍、白虎、朱雀、玄武四方神獸為「四靈」，此例中所飾神獸或為「四靈」之組合變體。