AN UNUSUAL BLUE AND WHITE BOWL

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, CIRCA 1650-1660

Details

AN UNUSUAL BLUE AND WHITE BOWL
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, CIRCA 1650-1660
Possibly an incense burner, with small pedestal foot, the exterior painted with a scene of Guanyin seated on a rock flanked by Long Nu and Shan Tsai, the three watching the approach of a dragon-like creature proferring a hu scepter followed by a dragon-headed attendant holding an umbrella as they walk through water, the scene observed by a guardian holding a sword floating on a cloud below foliate sprays on the waisted neck
8¼ in. (21 cm.) diam., pierced wood cover with soapstone figural finial, and wood stand

Lot Essay

The scene depicted on the current lot may be taken from the tale of Long Nu and the Dragon King. According to legend, one of the sons of the Dragon King was caught by a fisherman while in the form of a fish. Guanyin immediately dispatched her attendant Shan Tsai to rescue the son and return him to the sea.

As a reward, the Dragon King sent Long Nu to present Guanyin with the Pearl of Light. However, Long Nu was so strongly impressed by Guanyin that she asked to become her disciple, and was accepted providing that she become the keeper of the Pearl. Long Nu is portrayed in the current lot as a young girl who holds an ingot-shaped bowl, representing the Pearl of Light.

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