Pair of Silver Gilt Filigree Magpie Plum Blossom Agate Bonsai Inlaid Ruby & Pearl, Qing Dynasty,17th-19th Century Matched Pair Gilt Silver Wirework Gemstone Agate Flowerpot Ornaments

拍品描述

Dimensions: Total height 14 cm (5.51 inches), width 9 cm (3.54 inches), total weight 364 grams. A 17th-19th century Qing Dynasty silver-gilt ruby, pearl, magpie, plum blossom, and agate desktop bonsai set. Condition and Provenance: Each flowerpot is carved from a single piece of natural white agate, shaped like a begonia flower. The agate is translucent and smooth, with natural pale yellow filamentous patterns. The agate pots are free of cracks, defects, or artificial acid bleaching and dyeing marks; the inner and outer walls retain their luster, with only slight wear on the bottom due to long-term storage. The inner bottom of each flowerpot is decorated with miniature painted landscape patterns, pavilions, and layered mountains, the original colors well preserved with no large areas of peeling. The gilded plum tree inside the pot is crafted using exquisite silver-gilt techniques, with twisted natural supports supporting layers of openwork plum blossoms. Each flower's stamen is inlaid with a natural ruby, and natural pearl buds adorn the branches. Each tree features two magpies adorned with granular beadwork, vividly showcasing the details of their feathers with a remarkable three-dimensional effect. The heavy gilding technique gives all metal components a rich, even golden hue; the gold and silver wirework is flawless, and all rubies and pearls are securely set without any loosening. The connection between the gilded tree structure and the agate pot is strong, with no glue cracks or detachments. The entire pair of bonsai has not undergone any restoration, replacement of parts, or modern refurbishment. This pair of agate bonsai was previously handled by an antique dealer in Singapore and was acquired in 2026 by a Qing dynasty jade collector in New Jersey. Major global trading centers for Qing dynasty jade antiques include New Jersey, Texas, and Singapore. Description: This pair of Qing dynasty gilded silver wire and gemstone-inlaid magpie and plum blossom agate bonsai is a top-tier royal desktop ornament. Magpies perched on plum blossoms symbolize impending joy and good fortune and were a central decorative element in Qing dynasty palaces and aristocratic residences. This piece integrates six exquisite ancient crafts: agate carving, gilded silver wire wrapping, gold and silver wire weaving, gold nugget work, gemstone inlay, and miniature landscape painting. The pearl flower buds add a touch of delicate elegance. The gold nugget work on the magpie is extremely complex and refined, using realistic metal textures to create lifelike feathers, forming a balanced, harmonious, and beautiful composition. This set is sold as a symmetrical pair, perfectly reflecting the Qing dynasty imperial family's preference for symmetrical aesthetics. A well-preserved pair of pieces, with the gemstones, pearls, and agate flowerpot all intact, is extremely rare in the antique market; most similar pieces are scattered as individual items among private collectors in Europe and America. Complete pairs often fetch extremely high prices at international antique auctions. This collection possesses comprehensive academic research value, encompassing Qing dynasty metalwork, agate carving, and traditional Chinese auspicious ritual culture. It maintains stable long-term appreciation potential in the international antique market and is an extremely rare top-tier masterpiece among Qing dynasty jade and metalwork collectibles.

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