A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'YANG JIA JIANG' BASIN

KANGXI 1662-1722

Painted with a central medallion containing warriors and figures carrying banners under a willow tree, the cavetto decorated with cartouches enclosing further soldiers, the reverse embellished with bands of floral sprigs above a panel of ruyi-heads, with a six character Chenghua mark, 32.2cm.

Mu Guiying is a legendary heroine from the Yang Jia Jiang (Generals of the Yang Family Legends), a Northern Song Dynasty tale and play. The scene depicts Mu Guiying capturing the young and handsome Yang Zongbao and demanding a marriage proposal. Mu is the cultural symbol of a brave, persevering and loyal woman.