KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)

Details

A BLUE AND WHITE 'EIGHTEEN LUOHAN' CENSER
KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)
The well-potted cylindrical censer is raised on three narrow feet and is finely decorated on the exterior with a scene of the Eighteen Luohan in a rocky setting. The reign mark is inscribed in the recessed center of the base and is enclosed by a wide unglazed band.
7 3/8 in. (18.5 cm.) diam.

Provenance

Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, 1983.
Collection of Julia and John Curtis.

Brought to you by

Margaret Gristina

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mgristina@christies.com 212 636 2180

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Lot Essay

Luohan (also known as arhan or arhat) are Buddhist enlightened beings who act as worldly conduits to the state of infinitely expanded consciousness granted by their enlightenment. Numbers vary in Buddhist iconography, but eighteen was eventually established as the standard Chinese grouping which became popular in later-Chinese art, appearing in a wide variety of media. The present brush pot depicts the luohan in various small conversational groupings, painted in rich tones of underglaze blue. Please see the note to lot 3531 for a further discussion of this theme.

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