FOUR CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE PLAQUES, 20TH CENTURY, after WANG QI (Chinese 1884-1937) enameled glazed porcelain plaques, each plaque with rows of poetic calligraphy and red seal mark, each signed with two characters in faint gilt, verso two with ink character inscriptions, one with a numbered stamp, and paper labels, "Made in China." Height: 14 3/4" Width: 10 1/8" Depth: 1/4" Note: At the twilight of the Qing Dynasty, and carrying into the early Chinese Republic period, the Eight Friends of Zhushan, formed an art collective to preserve old and ancient Chinese traditional enamel on porcelain arts. The last light bearers of the old Chinese cultural identity that fluttered frighteningly close to extinction in the early to mid 20th century worked tirelessly and mystically even under full moons to orchestrate their mission of preservation. The present four plaque cycle shows the life of a living artist. The first grassy scene is of a child tending to tea, while listening to music under orange color blooms in lush landscape; an allusion to spring. The second plaque, a summer scene is backed by smoldering sunset, is a youth learning calligraphy with a bureaucrat wearing a mandarin orange robe. The third scene of adulthood shows the grown student dressed in a yellow gold robe immersed in strategic training and formalism with his aging teacher. The adult is enjoying life and his robe color becomes important as we see him aged in the fourth plaque. A winter scene closes the cycle and in a yellow robe the aged student is now showing a scroll, and sharing his lifetime of learning with a child in a pink robe; standing before a giant crane decorated screen. The elegant cycle is a fable of heritage and living a good life executed with mastery bearing four of the same seal marks.

Accretion buildup in upper right corner of one, some expected surface wear and scratches, some crazing and bubbling on some enamel surfaces. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."