A PAIR OF FAMILLE VERTE 'JIA SIDAO' VASES 19th century Each of elongated ovoid shape surmounted by a waisted cylindrical neck and flaring mouth rim, decorated around the exterior with a continuous scene of ladies on horseback within a garden setting, above on a palatial terrace three scholar officials gaze at the horse riders admiringly, the necks decorated with boys at play. Each 40.4cm (15 7/8in) high. (2). Footnotes: 十九世紀 五彩月下跑馬圖瓶一對 The presence of horse-riding women usually identifies this subject matter as the story of 'The Female Troops of the Yang Family'. However, the crucial difference between this subject and that of the last Southern Song dynasty minister Jia Sidao, is the excited male figure on the balcony holding a fan. In the present lot, Jia Sidao is comically enjoying the pleasures of women riders at his Geling mansion by West Lake. His over-excitement leads him to almost step off the balcony. According to the 'History of the Song Dynasty', emperor Duzong ascended the throne with the support of Jia Sidao (1213-1275) in 1264 after emperor Lizong passed away. He bestowed upon Jia the title of Imperial Teacher and a mansion at Geling in West Lake. Jia was allowed to attend the Imperial audience every three days and handle state affairs in his residence. At that time, all candidates who passed the Civil Examination were Jia's students and visited his mansion to deliver their gratitude. Jia wielded great influence throughout the government. In 1269, Jia became more arrogant and requested retirement quoting health reasons. Emperor Duzong, in tears, tried to retain him. In the end, emperor Duzong gave in, exempting Jia from performing the ritual bow when greeting the throne and allowing him to attend the Imperial audience every ten days. A contemporary poem made a sarcastic remark of the situation that there is no prime minister at the court but in West Lake instead. When the Mongols besieged Xiangyang, Jia paid no attention but surrounded himself with beautiful concubines ranging from Palace ladies and prostitutes to nuns in his Geling mansion. Jia was eventually assassinated and considered an 'evil' minister that led to the ultimate conquest by the Mongols. See a blue and white rouleau vase decorated with Jia Sidao holding a fan, Kangxi, illustrated in Folklore in Ming and Qing Porcelain, Hong Kong, 2019, pp.83-87. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing