A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE SHONZUI-STYLE 'HARE' DISH FOR THE JAPANESE MARKET

A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE SHONZUI-STYLE 'HARE' DISH FOR THE JAPANESE MARKET

TIANQI 1621-27

The well decorated with a central medallion enclosing a plump rabbit within four radiating fan-shaped panels, variously painted with key fret, scales, cell diaper, or Y-pattern, with four cash symbols to the cavetto and a border of formal scrolling tendrils, the rim with typical mushikui frits, the underside with two flower sprays and butterflies, inscribed Da Ming Chenghua nian zhi to the base, 20.5cm.

Cf. Princessehof Museum, Chinese Porcelain, The Transitional Period (1620-1683): a selection from the Michael Butler Collection, p.29, no.17, for a comparable dish. Also, see Christie's London, The Peony Pavilion Collection: Chinese Tea Ceramics for Japan (c.1580-1650), 12 June 1989, lot 219 for another example. The authors explain that the style is in the manner of shonzui wares, with complex geometric patterns.