A RARE WUCAI 'CHRYSANTHEMUM AND ROCK' BOWLWanli six-character mark and of the period Finely potted with rounded deep sides rising from a short straight foot, the exterior decorated with gnarled underglaze-blue rocks issuing enamelled floral sprays including chrysanthemums and camellias, interspersed with butterflies, all beneath a key-fret border, the interior with a cobalt-blue dragon and phoenix. 17.7cm (7in) diam. 明萬曆 五彩菊石紋盌 青花「大明萬曆年製」楷書款 The present bowl is notable for the ingenious use of the colourful wucai palette and the geometric blue key-fret band around the mouth rim, whichplements the naturalistic floral decoration below. In addition, the four areas of blue ornamental rocks, arranged at the cardinal points around the lower part of the bowl, provide a framework around which the vibrant red and yellow chrysanthemums can grow. Chrysanthemums represent Autumn and along with lotus, orchid and bamboo, are regarded as the 'Four Gentlemen of flowers'. Chrysanthemums are mentioned in early classical literature, such as 'The Book of Odes', and are symbols of longevity and wealth. The word for chrysanthemum, ju is homophone with the word jiu meaning 'long enduring'. Chrysanthemums were also the favourite flowers of Tao Qian, or Tao Yuanming (365-427), a poet living during a turbulent period in China who retired in midlife to a small estate to live out his days in rustic obscurity, drinking wine and writing poetry. Private and quiet as his life was, his reputation grew steadily after his death, particularly for his associations with chrysanthemums, which he grew in a small patch by the eastern fence of his retirement estate; see S.Nelson, 'Revisiting the Eastern Fence: Tao Qian's Chrysanthemums', The Art Bulletin , 2001, vol.83, no.3, pp.437-460. pare with a very similar bowl in the Sir Percival David collection, the British Museum, London, illustrated by M.Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art , London, 1978, p.32, no.85.