Lot 63. A finely enamelled famille verte 'King Wen and Jiang Ziya' charger, Kangxi period (1662-1722).  Estimate £1,500 - 2,000 (€1,900 - 2,600). Photo Bonhams.

Skilfully enamelled with a narrative scene with an ancient ruler addressing a scholar sage by a riverside, surrounded with a border enclosing crustaceans in leaf-shaped cartouches reserved on grass diaper with prunus branches.38.5cm (15 1/8in) diam. 

Notes: The dish depicts a story set in the 12th/11th century BC, in which King Wen of Zhou sought the advice of the hermit scholar Jiang Ziya, later known as Taigongwang.

According to traditional Chinese historiography, the last king of the Shang dynasty was corrupt and cruel. Jiang Ziya had once served the king, but was disillusioned and retired to spend the rest of his days fishing, waiting to serve a new and moral ruler. It is said that he used no hook at all, believing that the fish would come to him on their own. 

King Wen of Zhou wished to overthrow the Shang, and so sought talented scholars versed in the arts of war and administration. When King Wen came to visit Jiang Ziya, much like the aforementioned fish, he discovered that this white haired fisherman was actually an astute political thinker and military strategist. He thus appointed Jiang Ziya to be his prime minister and gave him the title of 'Taigongwang' (Hope of the Duke of Zhou). With Jiang Taigong's help, the Shang was overthrown and the Zhou dynasty was firmly established. 

Such legends from history, of scholars waiting to serve new more morally upright regimes, would have resonated with the literati class during the turbulent period of the late Ming to early Qing dynasties.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23541: ASIAN ART, 10:30 BST - LONDON, KNIGHTSBRIDGE