 |
 click for detailed views |
Chinese Qing Porcelain Triangular Slab Planter with Scholar’s Objects stock #JWHtriPlant
A rare Chinese porcelain triangular slab-form planter, Qing dynasty, circa 1860, constructed from three flat porcelain panels joined at sharp angles. This planar construction is far less commonly encountered than round or oval planters and reflects an earlier, workshop-based approach rather than later molded forms. The exterior is painted in overglaze enamels with a traditional scholar’s objects (bogutu) decorative program, including vases with flowering branches, antiquarian bronzes, scholar’s furnishings, and symbolic implements associated with literati study and cultivated taste. The decoration is linear and emblematic rather than pictorial, consistent with scholar’s wares made for domestic use rather than export. The interior is plain glazed, as expected for functional planters of this type. The piece retains its original hardwood stand, made specifically for the planter, elevating it visually while protecting furniture surfaces—an important consideration in scholar’s interiors. A scarce form with strong scholarly associations, offered in excellent antique condition with only minor enamel wear consistent with age and use. Measures 10" high on stand x 7" June’s ThoughtsWhat draws me to this planter is the form before anything else. The triangular slab construction feels intentional and architectural, not decorative for its own sake. It’s the kind of object that would have quietly lived on a scholar’s table or stand, valued for balance and symbolism rather than display. Pieces like this reward slow looking—they aren’t showy, but they stay with you. |
