A PAIR OF LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'ONE HUNDRED BIRD' VASES
19th century Each of elegant baluster form with sloping shoulders surmounted by a tall cylindrical neck with flaring mouth rims, vibrantly painted around the exteriors in cobalt-blue with numerous birds including pheasant, magpies and egrets, all amidst rockwork and tree peonies. Each 90cm (35 1/2in) high. (2).
十九世紀 青花百鳥朝鳳圖瓶一對
Provenance: a European private collection
來源： 歐洲私人收藏
The motif depicted in the present lot is bainiao chaofeng (百鳥朝鳳) which means 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.' It finds its origins in the the records in volume 915 of the Song dynasty Li Fang's Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era 太平御覽: It was said that in Haizhou a phoenix appeared above the city, followed by several hundred birds. Together, they flew northeast toward Cangwu Mountain (海州言鳳見于城上，群鳥數百隨之，東北飛向蒼梧山). The phoenix is a symbol of virtue, prosperity, and harmony, often associated with the empress and Imperial authority. The gathering of a hundred birds around the phoenix signifies unity, respect, and the recognition of supreme leadership. This motif conveys blessings for prosperity, peace, and social harmony.
The 'one hundred birds' motif is popular in decorative arts, textiles, and ceramics. See a silk fabric with the same theme of 'a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix', Guangxu, in the Qing Court Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing (acc.no.故00026373).
See also a related blue and white 'bird and flowers' vase, 19th/20th century, which was sold at Christie's London, 12 May 2017, lot 362.
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