A blue and white octagonal bowl, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Estimate $6,000 – $8,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The deep bowl is molded with lobed sides and conforming rim and foot. Each lobe of the exterior is decorated with one of the 'Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup' as described in Du Fu's Tang dynasty poem, accompanied by the corresponding verse from the poem, all above a ruyi border. The interior is decorated with a small central medallion containing a scene of two scholars conversing in a landscape, beneath a border of Buddhist emblems on an unusual striped ground. The base bears a six-character hallmark reading Jiqingtang qing ya zhi ('A fine and elegant piece made for the Jiqing Hall'). 8 ¾ in. (22.2 cm.) diam. Lot 3588

Jiqingtang qing ya zhi six-character hallmark  ('A fine and elegant piece made for the Jiqing Hall')

Provenance: Heirloom & Howard, Ltd., London, 1979.
Collection of Juila and John Curtis.

Notes: The poem Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup (Yinzhong baxian) was written by the famous Tang dynasty poet Du Fu (AD 712-770) who, like many Tang dynasty men of letters, derived considerable enjoyment, and, apparently, inspiration, from drinking wine. In his poem he chose to celebrate the drinking habits of other literary men of his time, including that of his great friend Li Bai (AD 701-62). This poem provided the subject for paintings at least as early as the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), and appeared as decoration on porcelain in the Qing dynasty Shunzhi reign (1644-1661), although it was particularly popular in the Kangxi reign (1662-1722). For a yellow-ground, blue and white and polychrome bowl also decorated with scenes from this poem in eight panels, as well as a description of each immortal see lot 3587 in this catalogue. Also see lot 3557 for a small blue and white stem cup with another scene from this poem.

Christie's. AN ERA OF INSPIRATION: 17TH-CENTURY CHINESE PORCELAINS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JULIA AND JOHN CURTIS, 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza.