Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1620-1644 (circa)
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:leaf attendant garden scholar
Dimensions:Diameter: 8.50 inches Height: 23 centimetres (with cover)
Description:
Porcelain jar and cover with underglaze blue decoration. This globular jar has a short neck with a stepped edge which fits inside the domed cover. The foot is coarse with much grit adhered and the base is glazed. Painted in slightly blurred tones of underglaze blue in high ‘transitional’ style, this jar shows a figural scene of a high-ranking scholar-official accompanied by attendants, receiving gifts in a garden. The scholar, identified by his hat with ‘wings’, stands beneath a parasol held by a servant, while six further servants peer behind him, two holding large ‘shan’ fans, two holding halberds and two holding symbols of office. Behind this procession is a building. In front of the scholar beside a plantain tree are two servants, both holding trays, one with a pig and the other with fruits. Around the neck is a border of halved plantain leaves separated by horizontal lines. The lid is decorated with a similar scene of a scholar accompanied by two military attendants holding ‘shan’ fans approached by a servant carrying a ‘jue’ ceremonial cup on a tray. This scene is surrounded by a border of ‘ruyi’ heads.
IMG
![图片[1]-jar BM-Franks.1473-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00235790_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-jar BM-Franks.1473-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00235808_001.jpg)
![图片[3]-jar BM-Franks.1473-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00254054_001.jpg)
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Images of historical dignitaries receiving gifts from underlings is a popular theme in the late Ming period. Conceivably at that time these images of worthy men and their entourages were recognizable as well-known individuals from popular legends, novels or plays. Some of these scenes may be identified by painstaking reference to woodblock-printed manuals and compendia of images of immortals, others are deciphered by chance. However, many are yet to be interpreted. In this case the design may be interpreted as full of images of officials wishing to gain a better position: 1. The official is pointing to the Sun a reference to a rise within the system2.The servants bringing an official hat and a deer on platters are a wish that the scholar will achieve rank and salary.3. The carrying jue on a tray also is a four character phrase or chengyu meaning progression within the bureaucracy.JHH April 2010
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, underglazed,
Subjects:leaf attendant garden scholar
Dimensions:Diameter: 8.50 inches Height: 23 centimetres (with cover)
Description:
Porcelain jar and cover with underglaze blue decoration. This globular jar has a short neck with a stepped edge which fits inside the domed cover. The foot is coarse with much grit adhered and the base is glazed. Painted in slightly blurred tones of underglaze blue in high ‘transitional’ style, this jar shows a figural scene of a high-ranking scholar-official accompanied by attendants, receiving gifts in a garden. The scholar, identified by his hat with ‘wings’, stands beneath a parasol held by a servant, while six further servants peer behind him, two holding large ‘shan’ fans, two holding halberds and two holding symbols of office. Behind this procession is a building. In front of the scholar beside a plantain tree are two servants, both holding trays, one with a pig and the other with fruits. Around the neck is a border of halved plantain leaves separated by horizontal lines. The lid is decorated with a similar scene of a scholar accompanied by two military attendants holding ‘shan’ fans approached by a servant carrying a ‘jue’ ceremonial cup on a tray. This scene is surrounded by a border of ‘ruyi’ heads.
IMG
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:Images of historical dignitaries receiving gifts from underlings is a popular theme in the late Ming period. Conceivably at that time these images of worthy men and their entourages were recognizable as well-known individuals from popular legends, novels or plays. Some of these scenes may be identified by painstaking reference to woodblock-printed manuals and compendia of images of immortals, others are deciphered by chance. However, many are yet to be interpreted. In this case the design may be interpreted as full of images of officials wishing to gain a better position: 1. The official is pointing to the Sun a reference to a rise within the system2.The servants bringing an official hat and a deer on platters are a wish that the scholar will achieve rank and salary.3. The carrying jue on a tray also is a four character phrase or chengyu meaning progression within the bureaucracy.JHH April 2010
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