Description
Description: Chinese porcelain ink grinder decorated with three rams in a rocky landscape and the Sun. The “Three rams” is a known motif, named “SAN YANG KAI TAI”, meaning “Three Rams Bring Prosperity”. The addition of the Sun, “Yang” (Yang is a homonym for both Sun and Ram) too is a good wishing, because the Sun will melt the ice of the rough Winter, leading to Spring. It is interesting to note that this is a “double sided” ink grinder, being one side assigned to the red and the other side to the black inks (see last two pictures). The exact dating of this ink grinder is not easy but we are confident that, by the fine painting style and the motif, a safe dating is 18th century in general, as it should span from Transitional to Qianlong.
Dating: 18th century, Qing dynasty.
Size: 13.5 cm diameter
Provenance: Antiquarian market
References:
Notes: According to the Chinese Tradition, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Ram (e.g. next year will be 2027), people exchange Best Wishes by saying “San Yang Kai Tai”. So, on the first day of the year of the Ram (next 2027), a piece like this should be exposed in an important place of the house to bring Prosperity and Good Luck.
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