Rare livre en jade céladon pâle et bois de santal Chine, dynastie Qing, marque et époque Qianlong (1736-1795), daté 1746

composé de deux plats en bois odorant sculptés de dragons archaïsants, l'un orné du titre Yuzhi Mi Fu Tiaoxi shi dans un cartouche rectangulaire et de six plaques en jade céladon pâle chacune incisée sur les deux faces de caractères à l'or encadrées de soie brochée jaune, la dernière datée du troisième mois de l'année bingyan du règne de Qianlong, correspondant à 1746 avec trois sceaux san, long et yubi

The book is in overall good condition. The first two front and back pages are lined with gilt paper. The gilding shows some very light wear to some characters. The Jade is of a more celadon-green tone than the catalogue illustration suggests and the yellow silk is of a more vibrant yellow tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The carving of the sandalwood covers is very crisp.
"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."

The set of six poems incised on each of the pale celadon jade plaques that form this jade book are taken from the famous scroll 'The Tiao Stream Poems' painted by the Northern Song calligrapher and painter Mi Fu (1051-1107) in 1088. The scroll was said to have entered the Imperial collection in the 18th century under the Qianlong emperor who copied the famous scroll emulating the Mi Fu's calligraphy. After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, it was lost after having been taken to Manchuria by the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Puyi. In 1963, the scroll reappeared and was acquired by the Palace Museum in Beijing for its collection.