Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A PAIR OF CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'EIGHT IMMORTALS' BOWLS
SIX-CHARACTER GUANGXU MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD 1875-1908

With rounded sides rising from short gently tapering feet, the exteriors painted with the Ba Xian with their attributes, riding on various creatures and plants, the interiors decorated with central medallions enclosing Shoulao standing beside spotted deer beneath swirling clouds, 22.2cm. (2)

The decoration on the present lot is derived from Kangxi period examples and later became particularly popular in the 19th century, as discussed in Christiaan JA Jörg, Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: The Ming and Qing Dynasties, pp.132-133, nos.138-139. The scene portrays the legend of 'The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea,' in which each Immortal uses their unique abilities to cross an ocean on their way to the Gathering of the Peaches of Immortality. This story inspired the Chinese proverb 'Ba Xian guohai, gexian shentong' symbolizing the idea that success requires everyone to contribute their part. A related Daoguang marked puce-enamelled and blue and white 'Eight Immortals' bowl, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5 April 2017, lot 3706.

清光緒 青花八仙人物故事圖碗 一對
《大清光緒年製》楷書款