Description

Square Canister with square neck, and saucer-shaped Dish, Freer Gallery of Art

A square canister in front of a dish, casting a shadow to right onto the dish. The Thompson catalogue described the subjects as follows:

'No. 113. Two Saucer-shaped Dishes. Sharply drawn flowers and leaves painted in white enamel, which form a raised pattern on a ground of bright powder blue. The under part, as far as the foot, similar in colour and design; the centre panel surrounded by a white line; on the inner edge two similar lines. Mark, double ring and figure 15. Diameter, 13 inches.'

'No. 202. Three Square Canisters, with square necks. Four subjects enclosed in ornamental panels. On one a mandarin seated in an inner court, surrounded by warriors and attendants, receiving offerings presented by three kneeling figures; at an outer gate an attendant holding a horse. On a second panel an interior with an emperor or person of rank, surrounded by five attendants, receiving an offering from a kneeling figure; in the foreground a terrace with five musicians. On another panel an empress or person of rank seated within a room, on either side two attendants carrying tall fans; before her a female figure dancing on a carpet; at an open window another female figure holding something in a cover; in the foreground four female musicians. On the fourth panel three mounted, three unmounted warriors advancing with raised standards through the defiles of a rock. Round the neck panels of flowers; on the cover a diaper ornament and a blue kylin. Mark, leaf and fillet in a funk panel. Height, 12 ½ inches. The three vases are ornamented with similar subjects, but slightly different in detail.' 1

Whistler illustrated one of the two dishes, and one of the three canisters. The canister depicted may be the one described as having panels showing, at left, various women including an empress, dancer and musicians, and at right, warriors, some on horseback.