A Quartet of Chinese Porcelain Ba Jun Tu Sìjì Mínghuā Plaques

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A quartet of Chinese porcelain Ba Jun Tu Sìjì Mínghuā plaques, finely painted and detailed in a limited pallette within … Read more A quartet of Chinese porcelain Ba Jun Tu Sìjì Mínghuā plaques, finely painted and detailed in a limited pallette within a gold landscape over a deep blue ground. Each plaque is signed, with a short inscription in gold Kaishu script and two, gold, seal marks. The four plaques are mounted in matching, original, Chinese, hongmu, heavy frames with original bronze hangers and removable backs. In each plaque a pair of the Ba Jun Tu is depicted in a landscape scene from "The Four Gentlemen" conflated with the "Three Friends of Winter". From the left side, the seasons, Winter, Autumn, Summer, Spring are depicted. Circa Republic of China era, no later than mid century.

each plaque: 35.5" high x 20.875" wide x 1.25" deep (site size 30.75" high x 16.125" wide)

The Eight Horses: refers to the eight steeds that accompanied King Mu of the Zhou dynasty (周穆王) when traveling around Mount Kunlun. He was a transformational ruler who reigned for 55 years and bring about changes and reforms which the people greatly benefited from.

Ba Jun Tu: The Eight Horses was said to represent the value and virtues of what the revered King embodies. These 8 steeds were named:

Hua Liu (骅骝) is a red horse with black mane
Lu Er (騄耳) is a horse in yellow-green
Chi Ji (赤骥) is a red horse
Bai Xi (白羲) is a horse in pure white
Qu Huang (渠黄) is a yellow horse
Yu Lun (逾轮) is a lilac color horse
Dao Li (盗骊) is a pure black horse
Shan Zi (山子) is a horse that is off-white

Hua Liu is associated with business luck, Lu Er is linked to status, Chi Ji is related to wealth, Bai Xi represents longevity and love, Qu Huang is the epitome of wisdom, Yu Lun is a horse capable of running a thousand li, Dao Li is a dark horse that can take advantage of any situation, Shan Zi is symbolic of happiness and harmony.

Sìjì Mínghuā: The Four Gentlemen (or Flowers of the Four Seasons)
Winter: Plum blossom (梅), known for blooming in the cold and symbolizing resilience and perseverance.
Spring: Orchid (蘭), representing humility, elegance, and purity.
Summer: Bamboo (竹), symbolizing flexibility, strength, and uprightness.
Autumn: Chrysanthemum (菊), representing fortitude, longevity, and the ability to thrive in difficult conditions.

The Three Friends of Winter: an art motif that comprises the pine, bamboo, and plum. The Chinese celebrated the pine (松), bamboo (竹) and Chinese flowering plum (梅) together, for they observed that unlike many other plants these plants do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season.

note: shipped in two boxes See less