Rare ensemble de seize plaques de ceinture en jade vert épinard Dynastie Ming

composé de six plaques rectangulaires sculptées de dragons parmi des branches chargées de lotus, six plaques en forme de pêche chacunes sculptées d'un dragon et de quatre petites plaques ornées d'inscriptions à deux caractères tianxia, taiping, sihai, laichao (16)

Acquired in China in the 1940s.
Thence in the family by descent.

The plaques are in overall very good condition. The stone is of even green tone and the surface appears to be a little dry and with some white powdery residue in the recesses which may be cleaned off. The yellow silk mount is slightly darker in colour than the catalogue illustration suggests and a little soiled.
"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."

While sets of belt plaques carved of pale celadon jade are common, belt plaques made of spinach green jade are rare. This particular set of plaques is characterised by their slightly crude quality of carving which may point to a slightly earlier, mid-Ming date. Compare a set of belt plaques of similar quality discovered in the tomb of Wang Zhuye in Nancheng district, Jiangxi province, dated to the middle of the Ming dynasty, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji, vol. 9, yuqi, cat. nos. 281 and 282. Compare also a white jade belt set discovered in the tomb of the Wanli Emperor at Dingling near Beijing, illustrated in James Lin, The Immortal Stone. Chinese Jades from the Neolithic Period to the Twentieth Century, Cambridge, 2009, p. 76.