A LARGE AND RARE ARCHAISTIC RUSSET JADE PLAQUE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the stone boldly worked in the form of a lingzhi head, the front depicted in low relief with a dragon soaring sinuously amidst tempestuous waves, the serpentine body neatly lined with fins and detailed with scales, an immortal portrayed flying nearby with both legs exposed, the figure with a ribbon tied around his body and billowing freely above the waves, the reverse similarly decorated in precise detail with the backs of the dragon and the figure, the skilfully stained stone of a yellow colour with profuse patches of reddish-brown skin and simulated veins of calcification, wood stand

The carving is in overall good condition. There are small losses to the edges, the most severe measuring approx 1.2 cm to the calcified edge, some appear to be slightly polished down. The catalogue illustration is warmer than the actual colour of the stone.
"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."

This jade plaque is of extraordinary size and eccentricity. It encapsulates the Qianlong Emperor's interest in antiquity, but takes it one stage further, skilfully modifying a known form and fusing it with elements from different eras.

The form possibly takes its inspiration from that of a jade heng, a girdle produced in the Six Dynasties, of which two examples from the Qing court collection are preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (I), Hong Kong, 1995, pls. 225 and 226. However, where the original size of these ranged from 9 to 12 cm, the current plaque is a staggering 29 cm, and of much greater thickness. Other archaistic plaques of the period are much smaller, such as an 8 cm russet-stained heart-shaped pendant in the Palace Museum, Beijing, which is also a fusion of different archaistic motifs, illustrated in Views of Antiquity in the Qing Imperial Palace, Macau, 2005, pp. 280-1, no. 105.

The jade itself has been skilfully stained in imitation of the natural discolouration of archaic jades. The even pale white stone is visible beneath the dense russet, with the overall effect enhanced by the simulated veins of calcification running across both sides. The design incorporates archaistic scrollwork with Qing dynasty renditions of dragons, interfused with a female Immortal conceived in Song dynasty style.

The overall effect of this lavish workmanship is a stunning display object of majestic size and opulence.