A FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE 'MARRIAGE' BOWL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the deep rounded sides rising from a short spreading foot to an incurved rim, carved in low relief around the exterior with leafy lotus scrolls divided by a pair of pierced ruyi and bat handles suspending loose rings, the interior carved in medium relief with a bat and peach sprig roundel, the stone of pale celadon tone, wood stand

In very good general condition, with finely carved details. Two small shallow chips to inner rim, measuring approximately 3mm and 1mm. Minute nicks elsewhere to the edges of the higher relief carving to the handles and interior. The stone of a slightly greener tone than as seen in the catalogue image, with faint natural flaws and opaque white inclusions.
"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 present vessel is notable for its large size and evenness of tone which has been accentuated through the low-relief carving. The leafy lotus scroll adorning the exterior displays the proficiency of the carver in its fluid and feathery depiction, which is reminiscent of the style found on their porcelain contemporaries. A slightly smaller marriage this type, but carved with a pair of catfish swimming around a beribboned musical chime and handles modelled in the form of butterflies, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1^stJune 2011, lot 3641.

 

Marriage bowls of related form and decoration, but raised on four bracket feet and various designs adorning the interior, include one included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade. From the De An Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 18, carved with daffodils and lingzhi; a Qianlong reign mark and of the period example depicting swallows on prunus branches, sold in our New York rooms, 19^th March 2007, lot 614; and another of similar size but carved from spinach green jade, and decorated with four melons amidst a leafy medallion in the interior, also sold in our New York rooms, 23^rd March 2004, lot 519.

 

‘Marriage’ bowls were popular during the Qianlong period, and the production of such vessels was only possible due to the quantity of high-quality jade boulders of this large size that were available during his reign. They take their name from their auspicious imagery, the designs of which vary greatly, which combine to allude to felicitous wishes for a long and happy married life and were thus often presented on the occasion of a wedding. The two facing handles were also carved with a range of motifs that were cleverly carved to resemble two facing butterflies when viewed from the top to represent a joyful encounter and hence marital bliss. The handles of the present marriage bowl are carved with ruyi and bats (fu) to indicate the wish for a long and happy marriage.