27 - A COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘LANDSCAPE’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1810-1880

A COPPER-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘LANDSCAPE’ SNUFF BOTTLE JINGDEZHEN, 1810-1880 To Be Sold Without Reserve Of squat, cylindrical shouldered form, painted with a continuous landscape scene of a woman sweeping a grave, while her long lost husband looks on, a nearby yamen official holding a cane aloft Height: 4.4cm Provenance: Potter’s Gallery, Vancouver, prior to 1970 The Meriem Collection Christie’s, New York, 19th September 2007, lot 644 Hugh Moss (HK) Ltd, 22nd October 2007, (a copy of the original invoice available) This bottle appears to illustrate a popular tale of a man who had been so long away from his wife on official service, patiently waiting an appointment in the capital for years after he passed his civil service examination, that she assumed him dead and provided him with a grave, despite the lack of a body to go in it. When he finally achieved an appointment and was allowed leave to visit his family, he found his wife near their home sweeping ‘his’ grave faithfully. At first they did not recognize each other, but when he asked her she explained and he realized it was his faithful wife. The figure with the stick is the standard official’s assistant, who carries a staff to identify him Ω This Lot was imported outside of the UK, under the Temporary Admission scheme. 5% import VAT will be charged on the ‘hammer’ price and 20% VAT will be charged on the ‘buyer’s premium’. If proof of export outside of the UK can be provided for this item within 3 months of the sale date, then the VAT can be refunded. Please contact us for further details and shipping advice