Decorative

THE MASTER'S HAND: A FINE EARLY CHINESE ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 1910 from 1910, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

An exceptional and rare early 20th-century porcelain miniature vase of elegant baluster form, standing at just 11.3 cm. This "cabinet piece" represents the height of the Republic Period (c. 1912--1940) literati style, where porcelain was treated as a canvas for fine art. The body is decorated with a masterfully executed depiction of Li Tieguai, the Iron-Crutch Immortal. The artist has used sophisticated fencai (powdered) enamels and meticulous stipple-work to capture the character's eccentric, wind-swept spirit. He is shown seated upon a large double-gourd, accompanied by five vibrant iron-red bats (Wu Fu), symbolizing a life blessed with five-fold fortune. The reverse features a poetic couplet in fluid, rhythmic Running Script calligraphy: "His beard is a wild, tangled mess, yet a golden headband rests upon his brow. With a grime-streaked face and dishevelled hair, he leans upon... his iron crutch." The poem is punctuated by three translucent rose-pink seals---Jun (Gentleman) and Hua (Painting)---marking this as a scholar's commissioned work. The base is finished with a crisp, professional four-character Qianlong tribute mark in overglaze blue enamel.

— Details

Reference

SA1201420

Origin

1910

Period

1910

Dimensions

H 11.3cm

Rarity

Rare

Provenance

The G.S. May, Esquire Private Collection, London, Purchased from Specialist Asian Works of Art Collection.

Condition

Excellent — see description