The deep round small bowl painted with a deer and monkey
beneath a bird in flight and two flowering trees and scattered insects,
the rim exterior and interior and footrim with a double line,
the interior painted with a flower;
the verso with a Fu Gui Jia Qi shop chop mark :
'Excellent Wares for the Wealthy Nobility',
or 'Beautiful Vessel for the Rich and Honorable';

 
(an auspicious inscription on folk wares, mostly seen on blue-and-white porcelain

made in Jingdezhen in the Jiajing and Wanli reigns of the Ming )

The deer and monkey are often pictured together on Ming porcelain.
The 'deer' represents longevity, and thought to be the only animals who
can find the sacred fungus of longevity – the 'lingzhi'.
The 'monkey' is a good spirit, and has the power to ward off evil spirits.

He can be the representation of a god, as it was thought that gods may take the form of the monkey at times.

There are legends in which the monkey is portrayed initially as foolish, vain, and mischievous.

Yet, in each, the monkey learns valuable lessons along the way, makes changes, and eventually gains redemption.
The monkey thus embodies the themes of repentance, responsibility, devotion,
and the promise of salvation to all who sincerely seek it.

Condition : Overall very good, with a minor nick to the rim, several typical glaze skips,
and expected nicks to the footrim; one minor firing flaw to the interior wall

5" Wide / 2.5" High

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#7966

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Ming Dynasty Blue & White Small Bowl, Jiaqing, 1522-1566, Jingdezhen 

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