Bidspirit auction | Pair Rabbit Hunting Blue &

Pair Rabbit Hunting Blue & White Plates - Pair of Chinese export porcelain blue and white dishes, Kangxi ca. 1700. The center depicting a lady on horseback with a bow and arrow hunting a rabbit. The rim decorated with lotus and cloud scrollwork. Six-character Chenghua mark along the underside. Reference: Illustrated in David S. Howard, ”Choice of the Private Trader, ” p. 42 (one plate). Provenance: Christie's, New York, NY, ”The Angus MacCuaig Percival Estate, ” 29 January 1985, Lot 63; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Lot Essay: The scene depicted was a popular design for over a decade, appearing on a number of similar porcelains. Depicting a woman armed with a bow riding with a hound after a hare, it invoked an Amazonian pursuit that proved popular. Howard notes that the Chenghua mark was not intended to be a forgery, but rather a compliment to the quality of the work. Additionally, it replaced the mark of Kangxi, who had forbidden the use of his name on porcelain after 1682 - a ban which remained in effect until the late 19th century. (Each) diameter: 10 1/4 in. Condition: There is a hairline crack to the underside of one plate. Frits to the rims of both plates. Light wear to the footrims of both plates. There are no visible cracks or repairs.