A FINE GREEN JADE MUGHAL-STYLE 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' BOWL QING DYNASTY, 18TH / 19TH CENTURY

the thin steep rounded sides well-carved with overlapping rows of slender petals rising to the finely scalloped rim, flanked on either side by a pair of foliate handles each with two chrysanthemum blooms borne on a leafy stem, all raised on a finely carved spreading foot of similar motif comprised of two concentric rows of rounded petals, the semi-translucent stone of mottled rich green color suffused with tiny bright green and blackish inclusions, with wood stand (2)

The collection of General Grenville M. Dodge (1831-1916) and thence by descent and acquired by the present owner from the family in the 1980's. General Dodge rose to the rank of Union general during the Civil War, was a leading figure in the development of the Transcontinental Railway and served in the United States Congress as a representative from Iowa.

The bowl appears to be in overall 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Jade dishes and bowls with the chrysanthemum motif appeared during the Qianlong period. Derived originally from Song dynasty lacquer prototypes that were finely rendered in porcelain during the Yongzheng period in a range of colors, the Qianlong era with its newly won access to fine jade, reinterpreted the elegant form in the rare and highly valued medium.

While the form may be Chinese, the thin walls and precision and delicacy of carving were influences from the Mughal style jades of which the Qianlong emperor was so fond.  The first Mughal tribute bowl from Central Asia is recorded to have arrived in 1756.  The emperor was so pleased with the fine, thin elegance of the piece that by 1764 it is recorded that several Hindustani craftsman were working in the Imperial jade workshops producing copies of Indian jades. The thinness of the carving was reminiscent of fine porcelain so it is understandable that he would encourage his craftsman to reproduce the delicate chrysanthemum design in jade using the Mughal jades as his inspiration.

Stephed D. Owyong describes the Qianlong emperor's enthusiasm for Mughal jade in his article, 'The Story of the Qianlong Emperor and Tea Bowl', Cha Dao, 2007, "The emperor praised the Hindu lapidaries as a 'supernatural craftsmen', who were 'devilishly skilled', mistakenly believing that they worked jade stone with nothing but water, carving and polishing with no abrasives. He characterized the inner and outer surfaces of the vessels as 'equally smooth and finished, the color and form blended together'. He likened the extreme thinness of the jades to 'the wings of a cicada' that were as 'lustrous and thin as paper'. Being so thin, the vessels were translucent and lightweight. Inspired by an extraordinary work of Hindustani jade, Qianlong wrote that holding it was 'like holding nothing', and that in his hands 'there is really nothing there'. The emperor marveled at the carved decoration of acanthus and lotus patterns that covered the jades and the illusion of layers and depth that could be seen but not felt: 'I see flowers and leaves, but feel no trace of them'."

For examples of chrysanthemum form jades in the Palace Museum see Li Jiu-fang, Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages, Hong Kong, 1996, a white bowl dated mid-Qing pl. 18, a green jade dish dated mid-Qing pl.32 and a green jade dish with chrysanthemum flower handles  inscribed with a poem by the Qianlong emperor and dated 1795, pl. 32.