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Lot Essay
The subject of boys or of children, with the connotation of auspicious wish for fertility and many sons, was very popular on decorative arts in China and can be traced back to as early as Tang dynasty. Song dynasty court painter Su Hanchen (1094-1172) was particularly highly regarded for his portrayals of lively children at play with characteristic hair-styles and dressed in loose robes. The subject and this style continued to be in favour by the Ming and the Qing Imperial courts as can be seen on paintings, ceramics and various works of art.
One noteworthy trait of the works of art bearing the ‘boys’ motif during Yongzheng and Qianlong periods is that unlike previous dynasties and reigns, the heads and bodies of the boys are comparatively better proportioned, their clothing more detailed, and the boys are engaging in a greater variety of activities. When combined with colour schemes such as doucai or famille rose palette, it adds a radiant liveliness to the jolly and festive atmosphere.
Although this theme can be found on numerous Qianlong period vessels, small jars with ‘boys at play’ motif such as the present one
appears to be extremely rare. Only one almost identical example is known to be in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated in Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 106, no. 92 (fig. 1).
One noteworthy trait of the works of art bearing the ‘boys’ motif during Yongzheng and Qianlong periods is that unlike previous dynasties and reigns, the heads and bodies of the boys are comparatively better proportioned, their clothing more detailed, and the boys are engaging in a greater variety of activities. When combined with colour schemes such as doucai or famille rose palette, it adds a radiant liveliness to the jolly and festive atmosphere.
Although this theme can be found on numerous Qianlong period vessels, small jars with ‘boys at play’ motif such as the present one
appears to be extremely rare. Only one almost identical example is known to be in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated in Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 106, no. 92 (fig. 1).