- 3012
A SUPERB IMPERIALLY INSCRIBED WHITE JADE PEBBLE YU TI MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG
Estimate
1,500,000 - 2,500,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
of rounded triangular form with lightly rounded edges, incised on one side with two figures meeting on a footbridge in a river landscape, below a pine and a maple tree overlooking a thatched hut among rockwork, the reverse incised with an imperial six-column poem in clerical script refering to a painting by Wang Meng, 'Autumn Mountain Range in Glow of Evening Sun’, ending with the two characters yu ti and a seal reading tai yu ('Supreme jade') the white translucent stone accented with patches of russet skin and finished with a smooth patina
Condition
The stone is lighly pitted and polished with age and handling as showing on the illustration in the catalogue.
"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."
"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 reads and may be translated as follows:
“Wang Meng’s ‘Autumn Mountain Range in Glow of Evening Sun’”
Expression warm and moist,
peaks tall and elegant,
At a stream bridge people meet
staffs in hand.
How do we know the evening sun
shines on an autumn range?
Several dots of crimson maples
among the ancient pines.
This inscription is from ‘Wang Meng’s ‘Autumn Mountain Range in Glow of Evening Sun’’, a poem written by the Qianlong Emperor in response to the painting and recorded in Yuzhi shiji, sanji, 25:12a. Wang Meng (1308-85) was one of the Four Great Painting Masters of the Yuan along with Huang Gongwang (1269-1354), Wu Zhen (1280-1354), and Ni Zan (1301-1374).
Jade pebbles of this type demonstrate the high esteem in which jade was held. The simplicity of polishing back the skin to reveal the luminous stone and beauty of the form has transformed a humble pebble into a treasure for the scholar’s studio. Similar imperially inscribed pebbles include four in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, included in the Museum’s exhibition Jades from China, Bath, 1994, cat. no. 345; another included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 3; and one sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 2036. See also an inscribed pebble carved in the form of a melon in accordance with its natural shape, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1838, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November 2012, lot 2183.
“Wang Meng’s ‘Autumn Mountain Range in Glow of Evening Sun’”
Expression warm and moist,
peaks tall and elegant,
At a stream bridge people meet
staffs in hand.
How do we know the evening sun
shines on an autumn range?
Several dots of crimson maples
among the ancient pines.
This inscription is from ‘Wang Meng’s ‘Autumn Mountain Range in Glow of Evening Sun’’, a poem written by the Qianlong Emperor in response to the painting and recorded in Yuzhi shiji, sanji, 25:12a. Wang Meng (1308-85) was one of the Four Great Painting Masters of the Yuan along with Huang Gongwang (1269-1354), Wu Zhen (1280-1354), and Ni Zan (1301-1374).
Jade pebbles of this type demonstrate the high esteem in which jade was held. The simplicity of polishing back the skin to reveal the luminous stone and beauty of the form has transformed a humble pebble into a treasure for the scholar’s studio. Similar imperially inscribed pebbles include four in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, included in the Museum’s exhibition Jades from China, Bath, 1994, cat. no. 345; another included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 3; and one sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 2036. See also an inscribed pebble carved in the form of a melon in accordance with its natural shape, sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 1838, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November 2012, lot 2183.