A BLUE AND WHITE ‘EIGHT HORSES OF MUWANG’ JARDINIÈRE AND STANDChina, Qing dynasty, 19th century14 cm high (vase); 16,6 cm diam (saucer) The vase of cylindrical form with everted rim, the saucer with curved walls and short everted rim, the exterior of the container finely painted with a group of eight horses, apocryphal Kangxi six characters mark under the base of both the pieces.Provenance: acquired before 1975.A popular theme for porcelain decoration from the 17th century, the story of the ‘Eight Horses of Muwang’ originates from the historical romance entitled Mu tianzhi zhuan, which is the account of the journey of the fifth emperor of the Zhou dynasty to meet Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West with the aim to become immortal. His chariot was driven by the brave Zaofu and pulled by eight wonderful horses.