Cleveland Museum of Art

Dish with Landscape and Inscription

Date

1662–1722

Medium

porcelain, underglaze cobalt-blue decoration

Culture

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Kangxi period (1662-1722)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The river scene, composed of two shores divided by waterafter the Yuan dynasty master Ni Zan is inscribed: What shall I present the gentleman with? A picture of the Xiang River . A tributary of the Yangzi in Hunan province, the Xiang River is associated with Chinese literature and history, such as the Xiang goddesses, loyal consorts of emperor Shun. They are mentioned in the ancient Songs of the South ( Chuci ), known for staining the bamboo along the Xiang River with their tears when they thought him lost in the floods. The dish may have been a gift between two departing friends or for a couple. There is an apocryphal inscription on the bottom of the dish.

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