A white jade 'bajixiang' conch-form cup, Qing dynasty, 18th century | 清十八世紀 白玉雕八寶海螺水丞

Exquisitely carved from a luminous white stone, the present vessel is ingeniously conceived in the form of a conch shell, which itself represents one of the bajixiang or 'Eight Auspicious Emblems' of Buddhism. The interior is finely worked in high relief with a pair of twin fishes, while the exterior is decorated with the remaining six emblems, thereby cleverly completing the sacred group. The prominent display of these Buddhist symbols suggests that this exquisite cup was likely commissioned for use on a religious altar or during ritual ceremonies within the Qing court. For a related example of an imperial white jade conch shell dating to the 18th century, see the one sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1st December 2010, lot 2960.

本品白玉瑩潤，雕工精湛，巧妙地以海螺為形，海螺本身即為佛教「八吉祥」八寶之一。水丞內底高浮雕雙魚紋，外壁則飾以其餘六件法器，巧妙湊齊八吉祥之數。此水丞其極可能是為清代宮廷佛堂供桌或宗教儀式而特製的法器。參考一例清十八世紀白玉福壽吉祥海螺，售於香港佳士得2010年12月1日，編號2960。