Late KANGXI or YONGZHENG c.1710 – 1735. Famille Verte Porcelain

A Chinese Export Porcelain Plate, Late Kangxi or Yongzheng c.1710-1735. Decorated in Famille Verte Enamels with a Pair of Mandarin Duck Among Lotus, the Border with the Eight Horses of Mu Wang.

SOLD

Condition
Minute glaze frit to the reverse c.2mm.
Size
Diameter : 22 cm (8 1/2 inches)
Provenance
N/A
Stock number
21542

Information

The Eight Horses of Mu Wang :
Tsao Fu, in ancient Chinese Mythology, was an exceptionally skilled charioteer, who is said to have lived around 950 B.C. The Chinese tell the story of the Emperor Mu Wang, who was determined to visit paradise. He wanted to taste the peaches of immortality there. He found a very brave charioteer named Tsao Fu, who drove eight amazing horses with great skill. Tsao Fu was afraid of nothing—he carried the emperor across the Earth and into the heavens. The emperor finally reached Mount K’uen Lun and tasted the peaches of immortality. His brave charioteer Tsao Fu was carried up to the stars, where both he and his eight horses can be seen among the stars of the constellation Cepheus. The star Zeta Cephei is specifically named after him.