Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque Hanging Panel Depicting Budai Arhat Playing with Children (Republic Period, First Half of the 20th Century)

拍品描述

Dimensions: H 51 cm × W 36.5 cm (20th century; approx. 20.1 × 14.4 inches; approx. 1.67 × 1.20 feet)。Condition and Provenance: The porcelain plaque is in excellent condition. The glaze remains smooth and bright, with the famille rose decoration well preserved. The figures, facial expressions, garment details, and landscape elements are clearly rendered, with no noticeable cracks, losses, or areas of missing enamel. The plaque is presented in its original two-tone wooden frame, featuring a black lacquered outer edge, an orange-red inner frame, and a metal hanging ring at the top for display. Provenance: Private Collection, California, USA.，Description: This rectangular porcelain plaque is presented in its original two-tone wooden hanging frame and represents a fine example of early 20th-century Jingdezhen famille rose figure painting. The plaque features the traditional subject of Budai Arhat playing with children, a popular auspicious theme in Chinese decorative art. The central figure is Budai Arhat, shown with a smiling expression, a rounded head, and a joyful appearance. He wears a flowing monk’s robe, with the folds of the garment painted in layered ink tones and warm brown shading, creating a lively sense of movement. A woven basket is carried on his back, while he holds a rustic wooden staff and wears simple straw sandals. Beneath the flowing robe, two children playfully interact with him; one child pulls at the monk’s garment while another displays a lively and charming expression. The background features freely painted mountains and rocks with soft blue-green washes and elegant areas of open space, emphasizing the main figures. Budai Arhat symbolizes blessings, prosperity, happiness, and the wish for many descendants, making this one of the most beloved auspicious decorative themes in Chinese art. The left side of the plaque includes a flowing calligraphic inscription with two square red seals below, while an additional round seal appears at the lower right corner. The combination of painting, calligraphy, and seals follows the traditional literati artistic style. The expressive figures, refined coloring, and carefully rendered garment details demonstrate the strong technical skill of the porcelain artist.

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