Lot 3010
  • 3010

AN INSCRIBED WHITE JADE SNUFF BOTTLE WITH 'RAM HEAD' HANDLES QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

Estimate
250,000 - 300,000 HKD
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Description

of flattened baluster form surmounted by a ribbed stopper, finely carved in openwork with two ram-head handles and two bifid ruyi stems forming a small loop near the base, one side inscribed with a four-column poem in lishu (clerical script) followed by two seals gao and cun, the other side incised with a prunus, the stone of an even white tone picked out with light russet inclusions near the foot and finished to a smooth polish

Condition

The white jade stopper is associated to the bottle, otherwise in good condition.
"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 poem can be translated as follows:
Jade bones and ice demeanor utterly without peer, / Snow bright, moon white, the best of pure spiritual energy, / One bough reflects its image down on clear shallows, / In it I see all of springtime's thousands of blossoms on myriad plants.

These are taken from other old poems in order to make up a fresh poem, a known practise in the Qianlong era. The first line is by Yuan Shiyuan (Yuan dynasty, dates unknown), [the fourth character in the line has been changed from ji (skin) to zi (looks, demeanor)]. The second line is by Wang Mian (1287-1359), the third line is by Ding Henian (1335-1424), and the fourth line is by Lu Yu (1125-1210).