Important Chinese porcelain Famille Verte bowl – Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing Dynasty
Gilt bronze mount - late 18th century
H 19 cm D 34 cm
This type of ceramic, known as wucai or “five colours” in China, is distinguished by the predominance of various shades of green, enhanced by touches of blue, yellow, iron red, and sometimes gold. wucai ou « cinq couleurs » en Chine, se distingue par la prédominance de différents tons de vert, magnifiés par des touches de bleu, de jaune, de rouge de fer et parfois d’or.
This large bowl features a rich decoration of multi-lobed cartouches. The outer surface is divided into several separate panels or windows with rounded shapes. These stand out against a textured green background, dotted with floral motifs and butterflies.
Each panel depicts naturalistic scenes or traditional symbols of good fortune. One panel shows an exotic bird perched amongst blooming flowers. Another depicts a woven basket overflowing with flowers, a symbol of wealth and abundance. The lower panels illustrate mythical creatures from Chinese mythology (such as qilin or Buddhist guardian lions) set against stylised rocky landscapes. qilin ou des lions bouddhiques gardiens) évoluant dans des paysages rocheux stylisés.
The inner and outer rims of the lip are accented by an intricate geometric band alternating between floral motifs, butterflies, and interlacing patterns.
This large bowl is comparable to a similar piece sold by Sotheby’s in 2021 in the “Crosscurrents in America: The Wolf Family Collection” auction (Lot 650). Courants croisés en Amérique : La Collection de la famille Wolf (Lot 650).
