Extensively painted with a scene of many scholars with their acolytes beneath a spreading plaintain (banana) tree in various pursuits, the figures and landscape very well painted showing in detail the pursuits in which they are engaged, a four character apocryphal Ming mark on the base. 17th/early Kangxi 15 1/2 in. high.
Provenance: Columbus, Ohio Estate
The scenes depicted on this vase centered on a large plantain tree were a favorite subject matter for blue and white vases of the 17th C/early Kangxi although fine examples of them, such as this vase, are rare. What is additionally unusual about the vase is the extensive nature of the scenes, with many floral images and the multitude of activities in which the participants are engaged. Note the deep blue colorations juxtaposed against a background of lighter blue which reflect the different types of underglaze blue pigments used to paint the scenes, something more typical of the Ming, Transitional and early Kangxi periods than the later Qing.
