A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN BOWL , Kangxi (1662-1722)
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Finely moulded, with fluted sides and slightly everted foliate rim, the deep sides rising from a short circular foot ring, decorated in rich shades of cobalt blue on the exterior...
Finely moulded, with fluted sides and slightly everted foliate rim, the deep sides rising from a short circular foot ring, decorated in rich shades of cobalt blue on the exterior with a continuous scene featuring two cranes, one flying towards the other which is standing in the water looking up, while a pair of ducks swim in the water, all surrounded by abundant magnolia and camellia blooms, a pair of songbirds among the branches, further painted with an exuberantly drawn pair of fenghuang among rockwork, the interior painted with a roundel enclosing a camellia bloom, the inner rim with a delicately drawn triangle-work border, the glazed base with a square shop mark.
Literature
PHOENIX (Fenghuang ) a holy, noble and beautiful bird regarded as the king of all birds. The fenghuang traditionally represents the Empress, whilst the dragon represents the Emperor.
CRANE The crane is said to live up to 1,000 years. The high-soaring crane was the transport used by the immortals to go to heaven. Formal Daoists’ gowns often have flying cranes as a decorative motif and the combination of cranes and the Eight Trigrams known in Chinese as bagua often adorn Daoist ceremonial utensils.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties the most senior grade of imperial civil servants wore a white crane rank badge or mandarin square in front of their chest. showing the crane was held in high regard.
The crane mandarin square when combined in a crane, water, clouds, and blue sky design reflects the emphasis on the wisdom and talent of the Chinese Imperial court's civil officials.
Artists often present the crane within a circle, since the roundness indicates ‘perfection’.
