A WHITE JADE 'LOTUS' SCREEN WITH AN IMPERIAL POEM QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of rectangular form, meticulously carved on one side in varying levels of relief with a scene depicting lotus pods, blossoms and leaves stemming from a pond with water ripples, the upper right corner accentuated with cloud swirls above an incised inscription from a poem by the Qianlong Emperor in praise of lotus blossoms, the translucent stone of an even white colour with faint russet inclusions cleverly picked out to highlight the large lotus leaves, wood stand

Overall good condition. There is a small chip to the edge of the petal on the right of the tallest lotus flower. Minute nicks to the extremities as can be expected.
"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."

A sense of peace and serenity has been captured through the gentle water ripples and swirling clouds, which echo the curving forms of the leaves and pods. In its free linearity and corner composition this scene has been inspired by literati ink flower paintings, and the carver has cleverly incorporated the cloudy natural inclusion of the stone to resemble ink washes of paintings.

The Qianlong emperor insisted on examining every piece of jade presented to him and spent much time identifying each piece and putting down his opinions in the form of poems to be published or inscribed on the jades. In this case, the screen was conceived as a painting, whereby the poem complements the design. Depictions of a lotus rising from muddy waters in order to bloom were particularly favoured by the Emperor, as they are symbolic of a scholar that can rise above worldly affairs.

Examples of table screens similarly carved with scenes from nature and inscribed with imperial poems include a set of four panels, carved on one side with various plants and flower sprays, and on the reverse with poems, in the De An Tang collection, included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 22, together with two table screens carved with potted plants on one side, and the reverse with poems, cat. nos 28 and 29. Another screen carved with a chrysanthemum under the incised poem, from the collection of J.T. Wakefield, was sold in our London rooms, 11th March 1969, lot 11; and a further screen carved with a flowering prunus and a poem, was sold in these rooms, 30th April 1991, lot 315, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1385.