Description
A CHINESE FAMILLE VERTE DISH
KANGXI 1662-1722
Painted with the scene of Jiang Zi Ya fishing and visited by King Wen, the border with panels of precious objects and decorative patterns, the base with a label for the Stenbeck collection, 34.5cm.
Jiang Zi Ya was a military strategist and official at the court of the last king of the Shang dynasty (16th-11th century BC). Dissatisfied with the cruel ruler he retreated to the country waiting for a more just candidate for the throne to serve. King Wen found the old man by a river fishing without a hook. When asked the reason for this unusual behaviour, Jang Zi Ya replied that like fish, when people are ready to find you, they will come to you of their own volition.
