Details

Object type

bowl

Place Associated

China, Jingdezhen (place of manufacture)

Date

Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, 1662-1722

Materials

Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration

Dimensions

overall: 99 mm x 200 mm x 200 mm 469 g

Description

Four scenes from a Chinese play 'The Romance of the Western Chamber' written by Wang Shifu (about 1250-1300) are depicted around the sides of the bowl. A young man, Zhang Sheng, is sitting in the Monastery garden dreaming of Yingying; the star constellation in the sky symbolising his destiny. In another scene, Yingying and her maid are seen, with the maid arranging a secret meeting with Zhang Sheng; the constellation signifies Yinhying’s destiny. The maid is then seen encouraging her mistress, with the final scene showing Yingying’s maid being scolded by Widow Cui for her mischief. The style of decoration in underglaze blue was extremely popular in Europe.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944

Collection

Burrell Collection: Chinese Pottery [Stoneware, Porcelain]

ID Number

38.1121

Location

In storage