Lot 181 吉 | A small Chinese blue and white ko-sometsuke 'Ji 吉' tea container

吉 | A small Chinese blue and white ko-sometsuke 'Ji 吉' tea container

Wanli

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€ 800 – € 1.200

H: H. 21,1 cm, Diam. 15,5 cm

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Of compact ovoid form with rounded shoulders and a short, cylindrical neck. The body is decorated with a broad band divided into four panels, each enclosing the character ji (吉) against a ground of geometric motifs. Above is a band of auspicious symbols, including a fan and scrolls, alternating with flame motifs, while the neck is encircled by a continuous floral scroll. A band of stylised wave motifs adorns the lower body. The base has a shallow foot rim and is left unglazed.
The character ji (吉), meaning “auspiciousness” or “good fortune”, conveys wishes for prosperity and favourable circumstances. In Chinese rebus tradition, the same meaning could also be expressed through the image of a rooster or chicken (ji, 雞), whose pronunciation echoes the character.
罐呈小巧卵形，圓肩，短直頸。腹部以寬帶分作四組開光，每組內書一 ‘吉’ 字，襯以幾何錦地紋。其上環飾吉祥雜寶，包括扇子、書卷等，與火焰紋相間排列，頸部環繪纏枝花卉，近底處飾一周變形海水紋。底部下承淺圈足，露胎無釉。
‘吉’ 字寓意吉祥如意、順遂興旺。在中國傳統諧音紋飾中，亦常以雄雞或雞的形象表達相同寓意，因 ‘雞’ 與 ‘吉’ 音近，象徵納福迎祥。
Provenance:
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 11 February 2017, lot 1008. (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)