A RARE WHITE JADE 'PEONY' MARRIAGE BOWL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the deep vessel with curved sides rising from a short splayed foot, the exterior finely carved in low-relief with two naturalistically rendered lush peonies on opposite sides, the open blooms incised with detailed veins to the overlapping petals, each surrounded by a fluttering butterfly and a panoply of smaller peony and chrysanthemum sprays, the two handles in the form of archaistic animal-masks with fierce eyes and gui motifs forming the exaggerated eyebrows or wings, each suspending loose rings, the semi-translucent pale stone with concentrated white 'snow' inclusions to the polished interior and base, with greenish-brown veins

An important English collection, acquired between 1960 and 1970.
S. Marchant & Son, London.
Acquired by the present owner from the above, October 2006.

The piece is in excellent condition overall, with a glossy finish to the interior. There are a few natural inclusions to the stone, as visible in the 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."

Marriage bowls, sometimes referred to as water basins or brushwashers, were popular vessels during the Qing period. They are often decorated with auspicious motifs so as to bestow positive blessings upon the union. In the case of this present example, the peony and butterfly (fudie fugui) represent a wish for one to have an accumulation of blessings, wealth and elevated social status. The peony's status as an important flower of China dates to the Sui and Tang dynasties, when these exquisite flowers were grown in the Imperial gardens. The combination of the peony and chrysanthemum (changshou fugui) is a symbol of long life, wealth and honour.

The depiction of peonies on the exterior of the bowl is rare, as no other example appears to have been published. The lotus, being the symbol of beauty and purity, is perhaps the most commonly featured flower on marriage bowls. See two examples, both with exteriors carved as upright lotus petals, one sold at Christie's London, 15th November 2000, lot 188; the other illustrated in Yang Boda, A Romance with Jade. From the De An Tang Collection, Beijing, 2004, pl. 8, p. 30. A marriage bowl carved with a naturalistic scene of a lotus pond, and with four bat handles suspending loose rings, in the Shenyang Palace Museum, China, is illustrated in Imperial Life in the Qing Dynasty, Singapore, p. 90, n.d.

The inclusion of butterflies is also a rarity, particularly on the present example where it is rendered in a naturalistic manner. Compare one formerly in The Personal Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, with a band of stagnant butterflies interspersed with fruiting gourd branches, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th November 2007, lot 1503.