A WHITE JADE 'QIN' PAPERWEIGHT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

carved in the form of a brocade-wrapped qin, the brocade decorated with a floral diaper pattern, set on the side with two rolled hanging scrolls, two handscrolls, a volume of books, a fly whisk, and a folded weiqi board, all bound together by a plain cloth sash, the stone of even white tone with a hint of celadon with russet inclusions on the side and one corner stained

Sotheby's New York, 17^th April 1985, lot 204.

Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 226.

Apart from a minor nick to the corner of the book and natural flaws in the stone on one side of the jade, the overall condition is very good. The natural veins in the stone have been enhanced with some russet stains. The actual size is about 5% smaller than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Paperweights were made for the scholar's table and the present example, in the form of a package wrapped in brocade, contains objects that were treasured by the literati.  Ready for the scholar to carry on his journey it contains some of his favourite items, a qin, calligraphy scrolls or possibly paintings, books, a weiqi game board and a duster.

Interestingly, one small patch of inner-skin has been enhanced with a darker brown stain. Staining was a common practice with jade carvers from the Song dynasty onwards when black and brown stones became especially popular and were much sought after. Once mining of jade began it became common to stain the mined material to make it look like a natural pebble.

According to the Ming scholar and painter, Wen Zhenheng (1585-1645), weights were made in a variety of shapes and materials, with those carved in jades typically in the form of animals, which he described as 'archaic and elegant'. (See Hugh Moss and Gerard Tsang, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 236).