A rare pair of famille rose 'simulated bamboo and wood' 'Romance of the Western Chamber' vases and stands


YongzhengEach of square waisted form, with simulated 'spotted bamboo' edges framing leaf-shaped panels reserved on a ground of prunus and bamboo amidst cloud scrolls, the panels depicting scenes from The Romance of the Western Chamber, the porcelain stands with shaped aprons and ruyi-cloud feet delightfully painted with swirls of chestnut and umber browns in imitation of wood. Each 45.5cm (17 3/4in) high (4).
|清雍正 粉彩開光西廂記圖方觚一對Each vase has four panels depicting scenes from the popular 13th century drama Xixiang Ji (西廂記), or 'The Romance of the Western Chamber'. The play narrates a secret love affair between the young scholar Zhang Sheng, and Cui Yingying, daughter of a chief minister. Although scholar Zhang and Cui Yingying fell in love with each other at a Buddhist monastery, Cui Yingying's mother disapproved of the match because of Zhang's low station. Yingying's maid Hongniang, however, took pity on them and arranged to bring them together in a secret union. When Yingying's mother discovered what had happened, she reluctantly agreed to a formal marriage on the condition that Zhang must pass the civil service examination. To the joy of the young lovers, Zhang Sheng passes, is appointed to high office, and the two are finally married. A pair of large famille rose vases, dated early 18th century, bearing similar scenes from the 'Romance of the Western Chamber' and with spotted bamboo edges, is illustrated by O.V.Krog et al, Treasures from Imperial China: The Forbidden City and the Royal Danish Court, Copenhagen, 2006, pp.605-606, no.185, where it is noted that a similar pair of vases that were in the Danish Kunstkammer, but are now in the National Museum in Copenhagen, were brought from Guangzhou on the 'Kronprins Christian' in 1732. See also the detailed photographs of the vases, pp.196-199. For another comparable pair of vases with very similar scenes and bamboo edges, dated circa 1730, see A.Varela Santos, Yongzheng Chinese Export Porcelain: A Private Collection, London, 2005, pp.72-73, pl.24.