Ecuelle with Cover and Saucer

This piece is decorated with heroic characters from Chinese history based on the book by Jun Gu Lian published in the reign of the Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). The figures represented include: on the lid, Li Bai (701-762), the poet of the Tang dynasty, known for his excessive drinking which helped him to write his greatest poems and songs. The essential qualities of his work (individuality, spontaneity and imagination) place him amongst the greatest Chinese poets. On the écuelle, the military hero Yue-fei (1103-1142), of the Song dynasty, who distinguished himself in his several victories over the Jin dynasty (1115-1234) which ruled northern China. He was finally killed by a fellow soldier in favour of peace with the Jin dynasty. He is venerated as the patron of war and military arts, and there are temples erected jointly in his honour and that of Guanyin. On the plate, Mu-lan or Hua mu-lan, the most renowned warrior woman in the mythological history of China. According to legend, her father, already and old man, was called for military service. As he had no son and was incapable of carrying arms, Mu-Lan dressed herself up as man, mounted his horse and presented herself in her father’s name. She served valiantly for 12 years and rose to a high rank, without ever having being discovered to be a woman. When the wars were over she was visited by comrades who were amazed to find a woman. She is regarded as a paradigm of filial love.