中国古代 陶器 一个 ‘Chilong’ 和 bat “Mille fleurs” 刷具清洗器

ITEM: A ‘Chilong’ and bat “Mille fleurs” brush washer
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Chinese
PERIOD: 20th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 115 mm x 130 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, dragon repaired
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired before 1990s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.

Crafted in 20th-century China, this decorative porcelain brush washer (bi wash) exemplifies a continuation of refined imperial ceramic traditions, tailored for the scholar's desk or refined collector displays. The body features the celebrated Mille Fleurs (Wanhua or "Ten Thousand Flowers") motif rendered in vibrant famille rose enamels. Dense, overlapping blooms—including chrysanthemums, peonies, lotuses, and lilies—completely cover the exterior surface, leaving virtually no white space visible and creating a lush tapestry of color that symbolizes eternal spring, beauty, and abundance.

Adding dramatic tactile contrast to the flat, enameled porcelain ground are sculpted, high-relief elements applied directly around the vessel’s rim and shoulder. A sinuous, hornless dragon known as a Chilong is depicted crawling along the lip, its arched body rendered in relief or contrasting enamels to convey agility and vital energy. Nearby, a stylized bat (fu) is applied or painted in flight, creating an auspicious pair of motifs; the dragon represents strength and vitality, while the bat serves as a visual pun for good fortune and happiness due to the homophonous pronunciation of "bat" and "blessing" in Mandarin.

While rooted in decorative styles perfected during the High Qing Dynasty under the Qianlong reign (1736–1795), 20th-century artisans revisited these complex techniques with modern refined glazes and expressive modeling. The combination of dense, labor-intensive famille rose painting with three-dimensional sculptural accents highlights the enduring craftsmanship of Republic-period and later 20th-century workshops. Functionally designed to hold water for rinsing calligraphy brushes, the piece bridges utilitarian scholar’s studio heritage with complex porcelain art.