A pair of Kangxi square blue and white vases Kangxi... Lot 2532

A pair of Kangxi square blue and white vases Kangxi period, 1661-1722, China, A very fine pair of blue and white vases, of square section with flat shoulders, decorated on one side with a scene of warriors on horseback, the other three sides show court scenes, in zig-zag borders and a diaper pattern on the top flat part of the neck. The square neck with roof shaped cover adorned with a sculpted lion finial, mouth rim adorned with blossoming branches decor, the lid decorated in wan pattern with a stylized lingzhi depiction on each of the four sides of the cover. Marked to the underside with an artemisia leaf symbol. The four sides of the vase feature highlighted scenes from a popular drama, Autumn in the Han Palace, which is a fictional rendition of the historical story of Wang Zhaojun, a concubine of the Han Emperor Yuan. Written by Ma Zhiyuan, a celebrated playwright during the Yuan dynasty. The drama enjoyed high popularity in the late Ming to early Qing periods. A wide selection of its scripts with illustrations were published. The paintings on the square vases were inspired by these illustrations. H ca. 32,5 cm, Similar vases can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as well as Victoria and Albert museum, catalog number: C.814&A-1910, ,