Lot 334. A famille rose inscribed 'figural' vase, Republic period (1912-1949), with the seal mark of Wang Dafan (1888-1961); 12 in. (30.5 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 6,000 - GBP 8,000. Price realised GBP 43,750. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019 

The elegantly potted vase is decorated to the exterior with a continuous mountainous landscape scene featuring the famous female poet and musician Cai Wenji riding a camel and accompanied by attendants, one of which is carrying her two young sons in a large basket. There is a long poetic inscription in seal script to the shoulder of the vessel, ending with an iron-red square seal containing the characters 'da fan'. The base has a four-character seal mark in iron-red reading 'kuai yun tang zhi'.

Note: The long inscription describes the life story of the protagonist Cai Wenji. The daughter of the famous scholar Cai Yong, Cai Wenji is eulogised as a talented female calligrapher and composer of the Eastern Han period. Cai's husband Wei Zhongdao died shortly after their marriage, and Cai was captured by the Xiongnu when they invaded Han territory. She remarried the Xiongnu chieftain Liu Bao during her captivity, and gave birth to two sons. Twelve years later, she was eventually freed after the Han Chancellor Cao Cao paid a heavy random for her release. The story of Cai bidding farewell to her young sons as she returns to Han territory has been portrayed in paintings and plays throughout Chinese history and she continues to be a popular symbol for female resilience.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 14 May 2019