A pair of imperial jade-inset carved zitan hat stands Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period

each finely carved in the form of a prunus tree, the shaft naturalisticaly carved with magpies amidst gnarled branches rising from a rockwork base to the canopy, carved and pierced, the branches inlaid with jade in the shape of prunus flowers and surmounted by a perched magpie, all supported on a carved wood rectangular stand

This rare pair of hat stands are in very good condition with the exception of re-attachement of a 6 x 1.5cm., section of the rim and a 4 x 2cm., section of the upper stem of one.
"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."

Elaborately carved hatstands such as the present pair are very rare and no other closely related example appears to have been published. The present pair is notable for the elegantly carving and combination of jade and zitan, two of the most treasured materials in China, particularly by the Qianlong emperor. A hatstand comprised of a jade hat rest, jade-inlaid base and zitan shaft, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in situ in the Sanxi Tang (Three Rarities) in the Forbidden City, published in the exhibition catalogue Imperial China. The Living Past, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1992, p. 107; and another example in the British Museum, London, was included in the Oriental Ceramics Society Exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 463. See also a pair of hatstands of simpler form, made from jichimu and jade, sold in our Hong Kong, rooms, 5^th October 2011, lot 2166; and a hardwood and jade example published in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 51, and sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27^thNovember 2007, lot 1536.

 

The popular subject of magpies perched on top of a prunus tree was commonly illustrated in paintings, snuff bottles, furniture and textiles. The motif represents the wish, ‘May your joy reach up to the top of your eyebrows (xishang meishao)’. As double magpies also symbolise double happiness, this pair of hatstands would have been a suitable gift for the occasion of a wedding.