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Subject:Re: An unusual Dayazhai planter
Posted By: Mike Wed, Mar 14, 2007
Hi Tony & Sinoart,
Thank you for the replies.
Apparently, yellow-ground wares decorated in grisaille are much less common than turquoise-ground Dayazhai pieces. The reason is that the painting was much more difficult and required highly skilled artisans.
I agree that this isn't a typical Dayazhai pattern. According to what I've read (online, as I don't yet have a reference book yet), Dayazhai wares always include "tian di jia chun" in the oval seal, and "Dayazhai" to the left of the seal. However, there might be another explanation as to why this planter is unique, apart from the possibility that it is an early reproduction.
You'll notice the three hanging bunches of wisteria blossoms just to the seal's left. Perhaps the artist would have been unable to put the "Dayazhai" characters over the grisaille, or chose not to, in order to save the integrity of the design. Looking at the bowl sold by Sotheby's, for example, you can see that the "Dayazhai" characters are in the yellow ground. There simply isn't enough room to do that on this planter. What do you think?
The previous owner actually used this thing and must have had plants growing in it, as it's encrusted with dirt and shows signs of wear (one reason why the enamel might not look that great in the photos). Fortunately, there are no cracks or chips, especially considering the rough treatment planters can sometimes get.
If you have any thoughts on my theory, please let me know.
Thanks,
Mike
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