A Pair of Famille Verte Brushpots, Bitong
A Pair of Famille Verte Brushpots, Bitong
POA
Description
Of square section supported on four angled ruyi-form feet, the sides finely enamelled with panels enclosing flowers of the four seasons, birds and butterflies, each side further decorated with a red seal, the bases glazed with underglaze blue lozenge marks within double circle
Period: Kangxi (1662-1722)
Provenance: Major Edward Copleston Radcliffe (1898-1967) collection and listed in the family archive, 'H15', as purchased from Sotheby's in 1937, for £2-0s-0d
footnote: The flowers illustrate the four seasons: peony for spring, lotus for summer, chrysanthemum for autumn, and prunus (or plum blossoms) for winter.
Flowers, animals, and other scenes from nature are among the most “universal symbols” in Chinese porcelain decoration. Here the flowers are chosen to represent each season conveying the passage of time.
Other motifs from nature representing the seasons; tree peonies and pheasants herald the coming of spring, kingfishers hovering over lotus ponds mark summer, chrysanthemums and hibiscus are associated with autumn, and magpies on a blooming prunus tree symbolise winter. Another classic pattern often found on blue and white porcelain and known as the Three Friends of Winter is pine, prunus and bamboo because of their ability to thrive even in the harshness of winter, showing steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience. They stood as symbols of hope and determination in the face of adversity.
| item details | |
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| Origin | Chinese |
| Period | 17th Century |
Product REF: BH84
