Lot 030 A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘PHOENIX AND PEONY’ WATER POTS QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD OR LATER

Description

A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE ‘PHOENIX AND PEONY’ WATER POTS
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD OR LATER
清康熙或后世 仿康熙青花凤穿花卉纹水丞（一对）
MEASUREMENTS
H. 6.3 cm, 2.5 in.; D. 7.4 cm, 2.9 in.
H. 6.1 cm, 2.4 in.; D. 7.3 cm, 2.8 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 1,000 — 1,500
(HKD 7,800 — 11,700)
DESCRIPTION
The pair of water pots is of compressed globular form with a small circular mouth and a short recessed foot. The exterior of each vessel is densely painted in vibrant tones of cobalt blue with a continuous scene of a stylized phoenix (fenghuang) soaring amidst lush, blossoming peony blooms and scrolling foliage. The ground is further filled with a delicate pattern of small circular motifs, creating a rich “brocade” effect. The base is marked with a single stylized lingzhi (auspicious fungus) or leaf mark in underglaze blue within a double circle.
此对水丞呈扁圆鼓腹状，小口，平底圈足，器型圆润。通体以青花描绘经典的**“凤穿牡丹”图，画面中凤鸟穿梭于盛开的牡丹与繁密的缠枝叶纹之间，寓意富贵吉祥。画工细密，地部填以细碎的圈状纹饰，呈现出如同锦缎般的视觉效果。底足中心绘青花灵芝纹或草叶纹**寄托款。
CATALOGUE NOTE
Water pots (shuicheng) were indispensable functional items for the scholar’s studio, used for holding water to be mixed with ink. This specific pattern, featuring the phoenix and peony on a densely patterned ground, was particularly popular during the Kangxi reign and continued to be produced as an homage to the era’s technical mastery in later periods.
The use of a lingzhi or leaf mark instead of a reign mark is characteristic of many fine pieces from the Kangxi period, a tradition that arose due to a temporary imperial ban on the use of the Emperor’s name on porcelain. The deep, multi-tonal cobalt blue used here reflects the “Ink-Wash” style of painting that defines high-quality Qing dynasty blue and white wares.
水丞是文房雅玩中的必备之物，用于磨墨时盛放清水。此类**“凤穿牡丹”**纹饰，构图繁密，具有极强的装饰性，是康熙时期盛行的经典纹样，并对后世产生了深远影响。
底款所用的灵芝纹（或草叶纹）反映了康熙朝特殊的制瓷传统，当时一度禁止在民窑瓷器上书写皇帝年号款，故多代之以各种吉祥图记。这对水丞青花发色浓淡有致，不仅具有文房用具的实用功能，更展现了中国古代士大夫阶层对精致生活与传统美学的追求。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: In overall good condition. Both pieces show minor kiln imperfections and firing pinpricks to the glaze consistent with early production methods. No significant chips or cracks are visible.
• 整体品相良好。 表面可见自然窑针及轻微生产瑕疵，符合早期手工制瓷工艺特征。未见明显磕碰或裂痕。