UNDERGLAZE-BLUE KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARKS WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)

Details

A PAIR OF FINE FAMILLE VERTE 'MONTH' CUPS
UNDERGLAZE-BLUE KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARKS WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)
Each thinly potted with steep rounded sides rising to a flared rim, the first delicately painted to the exterior representing the eighth month with a flowering cassia tree (guihua) with spreading branches over a hare to the left, with a poem on one side reading Zhisheng wuxian yue, huaman ziran qiu, translating to 'The branches grow for a seemingly endless age, it is Autumn now they are in flower.'; the second representing the fifth month with a blossoming and fruiting pomegranate tree (shuliu), the reverse with inscription Luse zhulian ying, xiangfeng fenbi zhe, translating to 'The reflection of dew drops is like a curtain of beads, the scented breeze is sheltered by the chalk wall.'
2 in. (5 cm.) high each (2)

Provenance

A private Japanese collection.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The design format of these cups with a pictorial composition on one side and a poetic inscription ending in a seal mark on the other is inspired by the long tradition in classical painting and was an innovation in the Kangxi period. This format was to later gain currency and renown in the group of highly exclusive wares known as "Guyuexuan" in the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns.

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