China

Room 4

CHINESE CERAMICS - MING PORCELAIN FROM THE JINGDEZHEN KILNS 中囯明代瓷器-景德鎮窯

Case 22

1. Square bowl enamelled in red and green 彩色嬰戯紋方碗

   Ming dynasty, mark and reign of Jiajing 嘉靖 (1522-1566)

   CB-CC-1932-162

   Young boys are shown engrossed in various activities in the garden. The games they play often have a symbolic significance. The small windmills, for example, refer to the imminent arrival of good fortune.

2. Bowl with dragon and phoenix design enamelled in red and green 彩色龍鳳紋碗

   Ming dynasty, mark and reign of Jiajing 嘉靖 (1522-1566)

   CB-CC-1933-160

3. Bowl painted in enamel colours 彩色嬰戯紋碗

   Ming dynasty, middle of 16^th c.

   CB-CC-1938-161

   Four boys are depicted walking among lotus flowers. These are perhaps the Twin Immortals of Union and Harmony 和合二仙, the patron protectors of merchants and potters.

4. Table screen with brush holder 彩色筆架

   Ming dynasty, late 16^th c.

   CB-CC-1932-191

   The decoration illustrates the legend of Chang’e 嫦娥, who sought refuge on the moon after stealing the elixir of immortality.

5. Pair of dishes with vase design 彩色花瓶紋盤一對

   Ming dynasty, mark and reign of Wanli 萬曆 (1573-1619)

   CB-CC-1929-206

   In Chinese, the word “vase” 瓶 is a synonym for “peace” 平, which makes it a favourite motif.

6. Dish painted in enamels on the biscuit 彩色龍戯珠盤

   Ming dynasty, mark and reign of Wanli 萬曆 (1573-1619)

   CB-CC-1951-205

   Two dragons quarrel over a flaming pearl, surrounded by lingzhi longevity fungi 靈芝. This is an important ingredient in the elixirs of immortality found in ancient pharmacopeia.

7. Jar with incised designs and coloured glazes 彩色龍與八吉祥紋罐

   Ming dynasty, mark and reign of Wanli 萬曆 (1573-1619)

   CB-CC-1944-208

   The Eight Buddhist Emblems 八吉祥, comprising the wheel, the conch shell, a pair of fish, the endless knot, the lotus, the vase, the ceremonial umbrella, and the canopy are depicted round the sides between four quatrefoil panels containing dragons.