A CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE 'PING SHENG SAN JI' BRUSHPOT, BITONG

TRANSITIONAL C.1640

The waisted body flaring at the foot and towards the rim, the exterior painted with a man presenting three halberds in a vase to an official, the scene divided by swirling clouds and rocky cliffs, all contained within incised borders encircling the rim and foot, 18.7cm.

Provenance: from a British private collection, purchased from Bluett Oriental Arts Ltd on 6th September 1990. A copy of the invoice is available.

The image of a vase containing three halberds forms the rebus ping sheng san ji meaning 'may you rise three ranks in quick succession' and thus expresses the wish for an imminent promotion.

Cf. R Chen, Qing Shunzhi Kangxi Chao Qinghua Ci (Qing Dynasty Shunzhi and Kangxi Blue and White Porcelain), pp.92-93, no.49 for a transitional vase decorated with a similar scene also including the ping sheng san ji motif.