M5783
£48,000
Description
A Chinese porcelain famille verte large saucer dish decorated with a scene from The Generals of the Yang Family, depicting Mu Guiying accepting the role of commander offered to her by her grandmother-in-law She Taijun, with Wang Qiang looking over in disapproval, all set in a pavilion scene amongst rock work and trees, the border of alternating floral and diaper ground amongst medallions of auspicious objects, the base glazed white.
Kangxi, 1662-1722.
15 1/8th inches, 38.3cm diameter.
Provenance & Additional Information
- Formerly in The Heukolm Collection.
- Sold at Sotheby’s London, 17th June 1937, lot 153.
- Formerly in The Reginald and Lena Palmer Collection, no. 488.
- This dish has a particularly vibrant and fresh set of enamels.
- The scene from The Generals of the Yang Family takes place after the Western Xia invaded the northern border of the Song dynasty, with the imperial Song army suffering repeated defeats. The court sought a replacement for the late general Yang Ye who died in the battles, and the Dowager She, She Taijun recommended her granddaughter-in-law Mu Guiying. Mu Guiying, a former enemy warrior known for her extraordinary martial art and strategic skills initially rejected the proposal after facing backlash from corrupt court officials who also doubted a woman’s ability to lead. However, in order to serve her country, she accepted the role and became known as the legendary “Commander Mu Guiying” after she defeated Western Xia forces, recovering territory, proving her loyalty and earning the respect of the emperor and the people.
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