Important Chinese Art including Imperial Jades from the De An Tang Collection
Important Chinese Art including Imperial Jades from the De An Tang Collection
Property of a Gentleman 士紳珍藏
A yellow jade 'lingzhi' washer Qing dynasty, Qianlong period | 清乾隆 黄玉靈芝洗
Auction Closed
October 13, 04:27 AM GMT
Estimate
600,000 - 800,000 HKD
Lot Details
Description
Property of a Gentleman
A yellow jade 'lingzhi' washer
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period
士紳珍藏
清乾隆 黄玉靈芝洗
well carved in the form of two lingzhi fungus growing from a naturalistic gnarled leafy branch with smaller sprigs sprouting to the underside, the softly polished stone of a greenish yellow tone suffused with light russet inclusions, wood stand
18.3 cm
The lingzhi fungus, Ganoderma lucidum, also known as the ‘magical mushroom of immortality’ was believed to possess magical qualities. In Shennong bencaojing [Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic], written in the Han dynasty, out of all the hundreds of plants, animals and minerals, lingzhi was ranked as the most important medicine. It was used to treat a variety of ailments and thus earned the reputation of an immortality-inducing herb and an extremely popular ingredient in Daoist recipes for longevity. In the form of a water vessel the lingzhi represents a visual rebus for the wish for longevity, peace and security.