Adam's Fine Asian Art Preview 23 November 2021

www.adams.ie 25 Preview Asian Art |23 rd November 2021 A DOUBLE GOURD SHAPED ‘FOUR GENTLEMEN’ BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN VASE, HULUPING CHINA, TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, 17TH CENTURY Painted to the bulbous lower body with scattered sprays of lotus, orchid, bamboo, prunus, peony and chrysanthemum, the flaring upper body with similar decoration, divided by a band of a trailing flowering branches H: 36,4 cm €6,000 - 12,000 NOTES: 1. The orchid, bamboo, plum and chrysanthemum are know as “The Four Gentlemen” ( 四君子, sìj ū nz ǐ ). Each of them represents one of the seasons. All together, they represent a year. The plum and bamboo together signify friendship. A vase ( 瓶 , píng) with flowers from all four seasons ( 四季 , sìjì) conveys the hidden meaning of peace for all the year ( 四 季平 安, sìjì píng’ ā n). 2. The shape of this vase is referred to as húlu píng ( 葫芦瓶 ) and derives its form from a double gourd, a shape that was made possible by the invention of the Longquan Kiln during the Southern Song dynasty. As a symbol of fertility, the double gourd is considered to be good luck. It is also a Daoist emblem of immortality. 3. Compare with a related vase at Christie’s Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2012/10/2-3, lot 294 sold for €15.000 BP incl.