Qing Dynasty Blue and White Folding Waist Large Bowl with Eight Horses Motif, Marked Wen Run Jin Gu Zhen Shang, 19th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: 16.5 cm (6.50 inches) in diameter, 8 cm (3.15 inches) in height, 19th-century Ming/Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain. Condition and Provenance: This bowl is well-preserved, without minor cracks, chips, glaze peeling, or signs of repainting. The folded body curves smoothly and evenly, with only slight wear on the rim and foot, caused by gentle use over time, and no structural damage. The underglaze cobalt blue glaze is even and pure in color, with rich layers, and the unique gradation technique contrasts sharply with the milky white glaze. The glaze has a soft luster, showing natural signs of age, without any signs of modern repair or chemical cleaning. The four-character mark "Wenrun Jingu Zhenshang" on the bottom is neatly written, with clear strokes and no blurring or severe wear. Eight galloping horses are painted inside and outside the bowl, with a complete composition, and the background lines of willow trees, hillsides, and grasslands are smooth and delicate. This blue-and-white bowl with eight horses was originally collected by a literati in southern China. In 2024, it was consigned to an antique gallery in Hong Kong for auction, and in 2026, it was acquired by a private collector of Ming and Qing dynasty blue-and-white porcelain in California, USA. Hong Kong, California, and Vancouver are important global trading centers for Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Description: This large blue-and-white bowl with a flared rim is a fine example of late Qing dynasty folk kiln porcelain. Decorated with the traditional eight-horse motif, it is suitable for both literati appreciation and daily use. The base bears the private collector's mark "Wenrun Jingu Zhenshang" (文润金谷珍商). The bowl adopts the classic flared rim shape: a wide, flared mouth, a concave fold, and a short, shallow foot. The overall shape is soft and full, offering both a comfortable grip and elegant aesthetic appeal. Inside the bowl are four lifelike horses: one resting in the center, while the other three gallop and leap, some turning and frolicking on the grass. The inner rim is decorated with weeping willow branches, and layers of cobalt blue glaze outline the scenery of a riverside meadow. The composition is balanced, with elegant white space. The exterior of the bowl is also decorated with four galloping horses, echoing the interior scene and forming a complete "Eight Horses" motif. This design originates from the eight horses of King Mu of Zhou, symbolizing a successful career and a bright future. Each horse is sculpted with dynamic movement, its posture vigorous, and its mane, spots, and muscle lines meticulously depicted, complementing the scenery of weeping willows, pine trees, and the riverbank. The glaze employs various gradation techniques: deep blue outlines the figures, while a light, semi-transparent blue glaze fills the textures, ultimately presenting a harmonious blend of sapphire blue and ivory white glazes. The base bears a double-ringed, regular script private mark, indicating that it was commissioned by an ancient Chinese literati, distinguishing it from mass-produced household porcelain and demonstrating a higher level of craftsmanship and more exquisite painting techniques. The eight horses motif, both inside and out, is intact, the cobalt blue glaze is even and stable, without fading or bleeding, and its excellent condition makes it a true heirloom. This piece possesses multiple collectible values, encompassing Qing dynasty porcelain-making techniques, classical auspicious decorative art, and a literati-specific mark. A blue-and-white folding bowl with a complete inner and outer eight-horse motif and bearing a private mark is extremely rare at international auctions and is highly sought after by North American collectors of Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain.

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