A WHITE JADE MUGHAL-STYLE LOBED 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' WASHER QING DYNASTY, 17TH – 18TH CENTURY

the lustrous white stone exquisitely worked in the form of a lobed flowering half-bloom with delicate and divided walls rising from the foot modelled as a lotus bloom with furled petal tips forming the footring, the other side of the vessel with a pair of conjoined feathery leaves bordering and forming a serrated rim, further decorated in openwork with a stylised handle in the form of a curling stem suspending a loose ring and bearing curling leaves as well as three chrysanthemum blooms

Sercey Collection.

The washer is in overall good condition with just expected minute bruises and nicks to the fragile extremities, especially the edges of the delicate petals.
"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."

Jades carved in this florid style, which originated in Hindustan in the Mughal period, were first introduced to China around the middle of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, who quickly grew fond of them. The first carved jade to be sent from Central Asia to the Qing court as a tribute was recorded in 1756 and pieces continued to arrive at court throughout his reign and thereafter. Concurrently, Muslim jade carvers were brought to the Palace Workshops to fashion similar wares, and as early as 1764, exact copies of the India jades held at the Palace were reproduced by Chinese craftsmen working at court.

The present washer is characteristic of jade wares produced by Chinese craftsmen in imitation of Mughal style carving as seen in the loose ring handle, which is rarely found on Mughal jades from South Asia. Compare a lobed washer carved with two handles suspending loose rings, each handle composed of similarly modelled chrysanthemums, with a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition Exquisite Beauty – Islamic Jades, Taipei, 2012, cat. no. 261.