15d. Fan mukozuke with couplet by Du Fu
Jingdezhen, China
Ming Dynasty, Tianqi Period (1620-1627)
Thickly moulded in the form of a half-opened fan, and decorated with a scene above the fan spines to the interior of a courtly figure standing by a wall under the moon, inscribed with a couplet from the second poem of Du Fu’s five-part poem Attending a Banquet at Prince Zheng’s Villa at Weiqu – Five Poems to the upper left-hand corner translating to: ‘At the fifth watch of the night, the dripping sounds of the water clock urge dawn to arrive; Inside the high palace, Spring’s beauty intoxicates, making the immortal peaches bloom.’ The exterior decorated with details of the spines of the fan in relief. 5cm high, 21.8cm long. Cat. 745d
For set of five fans of similar shape but different design, see Kosometsuke: Monochrome Section, Masahiko Kawahara, Kyoto Shoin Co., Ltd., 1977, p. 199 / pl. 751.
Note: Du Fu (712–770) was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty (618-907), regarded as one of China’s greatest literary figures. His works, deeply influenced by Confucian ideals and personal hardship, reflect the turmoil of his times. Known for his moral integrity, historical insight, and technical mastery, Du Fu’s poetry spanned themes of war, exile, poverty, and compassion.
Condition report (carefully viewed under UV, strong light and magnification):
Jingdezhen, China
Ming Dynasty, Tianqi Period (1620-1627)
Thickly moulded in the form of a half-opened fan, and decorated with a scene above the fan spines to the interior of a courtly figure standing by a wall under the moon, inscribed with a couplet from the second poem of Du Fu’s five-part poem Attending a Banquet at Prince Zheng’s Villa at Weiqu – Five Poems to the upper left-hand corner translating to: ‘At the fifth watch of the night, the dripping sounds of the water clock urge dawn to arrive; Inside the high palace, Spring’s beauty intoxicates, making the immortal peaches bloom.’ The exterior decorated with details of the spines of the fan in relief. 5cm high, 21.8cm long. Cat. 745d
For set of five fans of similar shape but different design, see Kosometsuke: Monochrome Section, Masahiko Kawahara, Kyoto Shoin Co., Ltd., 1977, p. 199 / pl. 751.
Note: Du Fu (712–770) was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty (618-907), regarded as one of China’s greatest literary figures. His works, deeply influenced by Confucian ideals and personal hardship, reflect the turmoil of his times. Known for his moral integrity, historical insight, and technical mastery, Du Fu’s poetry spanned themes of war, exile, poverty, and compassion.
Condition report (carefully viewed under UV, strong light and magnification):
Jingdezhen, China
Ming Dynasty, Tianqi Period (1620-1627)
Thickly moulded in the form of a half-opened fan, and decorated with a scene above the fan spines to the interior of a courtly figure standing by a wall under the moon, inscribed with a couplet from the second poem of Du Fu’s five-part poem Attending a Banquet at Prince Zheng’s Villa at Weiqu – Five Poems to the upper left-hand corner translating to: ‘At the fifth watch of the night, the dripping sounds of the water clock urge dawn to arrive; Inside the high palace, Spring’s beauty intoxicates, making the immortal peaches bloom.’ The exterior decorated with details of the spines of the fan in relief. 5cm high, 21.8cm long. Cat. 745d
For set of five fans of similar shape but different design, see Kosometsuke: Monochrome Section, Masahiko Kawahara, Kyoto Shoin Co., Ltd., 1977, p. 199 / pl. 751.
Note: Du Fu (712–770) was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty (618-907), regarded as one of China’s greatest literary figures. His works, deeply influenced by Confucian ideals and personal hardship, reflect the turmoil of his times. Known for his moral integrity, historical insight, and technical mastery, Du Fu’s poetry spanned themes of war, exile, poverty, and compassion.
Condition report (carefully viewed under UV, strong light and magnification):