A FINELY CARVED JADE 'LINGZHI' VASE
QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY
QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY
Details & Cataloguing
Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art
|
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
A FINELY CARVED JADE 'LINGZHI' VASE
QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY
QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY
naturalistically carved in the form of a large auspicious fungus with two high leafy branches and several other smaller secondary fungi growing around, two bats with outstretched wings hovering on each side, the pale greenish translucent stone with patches of light brown inclusions and russet skin around the rim skilfully enhancing the organic aspect of the composition
13.5 cm., 5 1/4 in.
Read Condition Report
Read Condition Report
13.5 cm., 5 1/4 in.
Provenance
Bluett & Sons, London.
Catalogue Note
The form of the present piece has been cleverly modelled to follow the natural shape of the jade pebble so as to create minimal wastage of the precious material. Furthermore, the carver has skilfully incorporated the darker hues near the skin of the stone to create effective tonal and textural contrasts at the mouth and foot of the vase. Compare vases of related lingzhi form, such a larger example carved from a greenish white stone, sold at Christie's New York, 22nd March 2007, lot 122; a slightly smaller celadon jade example sold in our London rooms, 9th November 2011, lot 266; and another vase modelled in the form of a lotus leaf surrounded by lingzhi fungus sprays from 'chicken bone' jade, sold in our London rooms, 27th October 1989, lot 292.
The lingzhi fungus is a rebus for 'intelligence' (ling) and 'arrive' (zhi) while the bat is a pun for 'blessings' (fu) and together represent the wish for a clear mind when blessings arrive.
Suggested Lots
Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art
|
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
