A BLUE AND WHITE ‘EIGHT HORSES OF MU WANG’ PORCELAIN TABLE SCREEN, KANGXIThe sturdily potted and cloverleaf-shaped plaque delicately painted in intense cobalt blue under the glaze and set in a carved openwork hongmu table screenThe plaque Kangxi period (1662-1722), the screen Qing dynastyThis distinguished Kangxi painting shows the legendary Eight Horses of Mu Wang, the fifth sovereign of the Western Zhou dynasty (c.1100-771 BC), which were renowned for their speed and perseverance. They are traditionally believed to have been used by King Mu on his mythical journey to visit Xi Wang Mu, the Queen Mother of the West, and on his expeditions to subdue barbarian tribes. A popular decorative motif in Chinese art, the horses each bore a distinguishing name, and their unique dispositions are perhaps suggested here on this charming and very rare molded jardinière in which they appear in various dramatic poses.Shape: Table screen, two parts (screen and stand)Weight: 5.3 kilogramsDimensions: 59.5 x 60 x 21 cm (the screen) 35 x 26 cm (the plaque)Condition: The plaque in perfect condition. The screen with minor losses, cracks and extensive traces of use. Remainders of old black cement.Provenance: American private collection.康熙青花“穆王八駿”插屏厚胎，叶片状瓷板，青花颜色亮丽，红木缠枝框底座瓷板：康熙(1662-1722)外框：清代造型：插屏，兩部分（插屏與底座）重量：5.3 公斤尺寸：插屏59.5 x 60 x 21 厘米， 35 x 26 厘米 (瓷板)品相：瓷板完美，插框有些微損壞、劃痕與使用痕跡；就黑水泥餘留來源：美國私人收藏.