- 303
A WHITE JADE 'PHOENIX' PENDANT, XI QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Estimate
180,000 - 250,000 HKD
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Description
- jade
of curved tapering form, carved at the top with the head of an archaistic bird, its crest trailing along the edge, the body encircled by an archaistic border in low relief, the smoothly polished stone of an even white colour with a patch of russet skin, the upper edge pierced to thread a string
Condition
The jade carving is in very good overall condition and finished to a smooth polish.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The Qing emperors’ penchant for the archaic saw a great number of ancient jade carvings being reproduced. This pendant is based on archaic jade xi, which were used for untangling knots and came to represent the untangling of disagreements between children and their parents; hence they were symbolic of filial piety. See a xi with a hooked tail attributed to the Eastern Zhou dynasty, in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jades, London, 1995, pl. 17:11.
See also two white jade xi attributed to the Qing dynasty, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 9: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pls 170 and 171; and another inscribed with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, sold in these rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2739.