18TH/19TH CENTURY

After his heroic rescue, depicted in the charming scene on this handwarmer, Sima Guang went on to become a prominent statesman and historian of the Song dynasty. The story became a popular decorative theme on Japanese Arita porcelain, also known as "The Hob in the Well." While unusual to find as the central decoration on a handwarmer, the story can be found on other Chinese works of the art Qing dynasty date, including a fine white jade 'boys' pendant, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27 May 2009, lot 1965.