A WHITE JADE 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' FLOWER RECEPTACLE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

elegantly and naturalistically carved as two upright hollow tree trunks flanking a lingzhi, the exterior of one carved in relief with a branch of pine and bamboo, the other with a leafy spray of plum blossom intertwined around the trunk, the smoothly polished stone a mottled white with small russet inclusions, carved wood stand (2)

T.Y King, Hong Kong, 1984.

There is a restored hairline crack to the root of the large tree trunk. There is minor losses along the length of the fissure of the stem of the lingzhi. There are the expected tiny nicks to the extremities, and some russet inclusions to one tree trunk.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The depiction of pine, bamboo and plum blossom are known as the suihan sanyou (Three Friends of Winter), and is a design commonly found represented in Chinese art. All three are known to flourish during winter when all other plants wither away, and therefore have become symbols of longevity and perseverance, virtues which are attributed to the scholar-gentleman.

See a related tree trunk-form jade vase sold from the Alan and Simone Hartman collection and formerly in the collection of the Countess of Halifax at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th November 2006, lot 1378. Compare also two other agate tree trunk-form vases are in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo Yuqi Quanji, Hebei, 2006, vol. 6, nos. 140 and 142.