Lot 8. A very rare blue and white 'Three friends of winter' dish, China, Jiajing six-character mark and period (1522-1566). Estimate 15 000/25 000 €. Photo Nagel

The dish is potted with shallow rounded sides, supported on a short foot. The interior is painted in different shades of cobalt blue to depict the 'Three Friends of Winter', sui han san you, comprising bamboo, prunus and pine, the exterior is similarly decorated, all between double line borders at the rim and triple lines encircling the ring foot. D. 15,4 cm. Good condition

Note: The 'Three friends of winter' which translate as sui han san you, represent pine trees, bamboo and prunus blossoms. They are regarded as 'three friends' because they flourish and do not wither; they would always 'accompany each other' during the cold winter season unlike other plants. Together they symbolise steadfastness, perseverance and resilience, which is highly regarded in Confucian teachings as the scholar-gentleman's ideal. This motif can be found on blue and white dishes through the ages starting with the early 15th century.

For an early example from the Chenghua reign see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, 2009, vol. 35, p. 10, no. 8.

Cf. a Jiajing-marked 'Three Friends of Winter' dish in the National Palace Museum collection, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Good Fortune, Long Life, Health, and Peace: A Special Exhibition of Porcelains with Auspicious Designs, National Palace Meseum, Taipei, 1995 and illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 158, pl. 80 and for a later dish from the Guangxu period see Gunhild. Avitabile, Vom Schatz der Drachen, London, 1987, no. 151

Nagel Auctions. "Asiatische Kunst", Sale 736, 06.05.2016