Lot 94 平升三級 | A rare Chinese blue and white 'Ping Sheng San Ji 平升三級' censer

平升三級 | A rare Chinese blue and white 'Ping Sheng San Ji 平升三級' censer

Transitional period

未知

€ 20.000 – € 40.000

OH: H. 17,1 cm, Diam. 20 cm

未知

The censer is potted with deep rounded sides and a globular body, rising to an everted rim and supported on a slightly splayed foot rim, the base left unglazed. Bands of plantain leaves encircle the area below the rim and the lower body above the foot.
The exterior is painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a continuous figural landscape scene. To one side is a pavilion with drapery, accompanied by rockwork and vegetation. The principal figure, wearing an elaborate robe and a plumed helmet, appears to be a military officer, shown smiling as he stands before the pavilion. Behind him are four attendants carrying ceremonial implements, arranged in procession. Before the officer, another figure bows while presenting a tray bearing a vase, in which three halberds are placed. The vase 'ping', and the halberds 'Ji', form a rebus for 'Ping Sheng San Ji', or “three successive promotions in rank”, expressing auspicious wishes for advancement in official career and rising status.
The composition is continuous and well balanced, the figures rendered with lively elegance and fluid outlines. The cobalt blue is applied in varied tones to suggest the folds of the robes, the texture of the rocks, and the layers of clouds and water. With its free and spirited brushwork, the censer is a fine example of Transitional-period narrative blue and white porcelain.
此香爐深腹弧壁，腹部圓鼓，口沿外撇，圈足略侈，底部露胎無釉。口沿下及近足處各環飾一周蕉葉紋。
外壁以青花通景繪人物山水故事圖。畫面一側可見屋宇帷帳，前方伴以山石、草木。主景中一人身著錦袍，頭戴纓盔，應為一員武將，含笑立於屋宇之前，身後四名隨從相伴，分執儀仗，呈列隊侍從之勢。武將面前一人躬身雙手托盤進奉，盤中置一瓶，瓶內插三戟，以 '瓶' 諧 '平'、' 戟' 諧' 級'，寓 '平升三級' 之意，寄託仕途晉升、官階高升之吉祥祝願。
整器構圖連貫，人物形象生動傳神，線條勾勒流暢，青花以濃淡分染表現衣紋、山石與雲水層次，筆意灑脫，為過渡期人物故事紋青花瓷之佳例。
Provenance:
A Dutch private collection.
Feng-Chun Ma, Chinese & Japanese Art Consultancy, The Netherlands.
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 15 February 2020, lot 629. (sold EUR 28.600,00) (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)
Published:
Paul Ruitenbeek, Feng-Chun Ma Chinese & Japanese Art Consultancy, 'Chinese Porcelain from the Wanli to Kangxi Period', pp. 60-61, no. 25.