Blue & White Porcelain Bottles

Hi John

Coming back to your previous bottle. (https://snuffbottle.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,1291.0/msg,61268.html)

I think the subject is Diao Chan (貂蝉), a beauty in the classical novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Diao Chan was a court singer in the residence of a high-ranking official, Wang Yun (王允). During that time, the Han emperor was held hostage by the warlord, Dong Zhuo (董卓).

Being a loyal supporter of the Han court, Wang was very worried of the situation.

One night, he saw Diao Chan praying to heaven asking for help to relieve Wang's worry. Upon seeing that, Wang was moved and took Diao Chan as his daughter. The subject on this bottle depicted that scene.

Later, Wang offered Diao to Dong Zhuo. Diao has a secret mission. She is to create conflict between Dong Zhuo and his foster son, Lu Bu (吕布), a powerful warrior during that time.

She managed to succeed resulting in Lu Bu killing Dong Zhuo in the end.

This was the plan schemed by Wang Yun.

Diao Chan was considered one of the four great beauties in Chinese history. (Joey, here we go again!)

For your reference,

Regards.


Richard