A set of three chicken-bone jade 'lingzhi' washers, 17th / 18th century | 十七 / 十八世紀 雞骨白玉雕瑞芝洗一組三件

This set of brushwashers may have been presented on the occasion of a birthday as suggested by the references to longevity through the lingzhi fungus and ruyi form of the vessels, as well as the chrysanthemum flower carved in the middle-sized vessel. This auspicious meaning is emphasized by the wannianqing (rohdea japonica) or the sacred lily carved inside the largest brushwasher, an evergreen which symbolizes growth and happiness through its green leaves and numerous descendants through its red berries. Compare a white jade brushwasher of this type similarly decorated with stalks of chrysanthemum in the interior, sold at Christie’s London, 11th December 1989, and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st December 2009, lot 2044.