A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE YENYEN VASES
Kangxi

Fine Chinese Art

16 May 2024, 10:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £35,840 inc. premium

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A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE YENYEN VASES

Kangxi
Each painted on the lower section with dignitaries seated within a palatial room opening up to a balustraded terrace with rocks and plantain leaves amidst wispy clouds, the upper section with flaring rims painted with an elderly dignitary proffering a sword to a gentleman with a horse. Each 43cm (17in) high. (2).

Footnotes

Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價

清康熙青花人物故事圖鳳尾尊一對

Provenance: Christie's London, 6th April 1998, Lot 21.
An important European private collection.

來源: 倫敦佳士得，1998年4月6日，拍品編號21
歐洲重要私人收藏

The decoration on the upper sections with an elderly gentleman proffering a sword to a man with a horse could refer to Zhou Sanwei (1103-1181) offering a sword to Yue Fei (1103-1142). Zhou Sanwei, a loyal and esteemed general, is recorded in historical accounts for his poignant gesture of presenting a sword to the revered military commander Yue Fei who fought the invading Jurchen. This symbolic act, steeped in camaraderie and allegiance, took place as an expression of deep respect and mutual dedication to the defence of the Song Dynasty. The sword, often considered a symbol of martial prowess and honour, became a tangible representation of the unyielding bond between these two illustrious figures in Chinese history.

Compare with a similar blue and white vase, Kangxi, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 16 May 2018, lot 128.

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