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Lot Essay
It is rare for a Transitional vase to be painted with a continuous scene rather than have the scene divided by a vertical band of clouds and rocks. Another vase dated to early in the Transitional period, c. 1630-35, which also has a continuous scene depicting figures standing beneath a willow tree is illustrated by Sir Michael Butler et al., Seventeenth Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, Alexandria, Virginia, 1990, no. 98.
The scene depicted, geese on a river bank awaiting those in flight above, can be seen in paintings as early as the Song dynasty. The symbolism is apt for weddings as geese mate for life. Geese are also mentioned in the Liji [Book of Rites] as coming as guests for Autumn, and have come to be associated with longevity. For another depiction of thise rare subject on porcelain see the famille verte yenyen vase of Kangxi date sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27 May 2009, lot 1871.
The scene depicted, geese on a river bank awaiting those in flight above, can be seen in paintings as early as the Song dynasty. The symbolism is apt for weddings as geese mate for life. Geese are also mentioned in the Liji [Book of Rites] as coming as guests for Autumn, and have come to be associated with longevity. For another depiction of thise rare subject on porcelain see the famille verte yenyen vase of Kangxi date sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27 May 2009, lot 1871.