Ɏ A VERY FINE WHITE JADE ‘LOTUS AND EGRET’ BRUSH REST AND WASHER, 18TH CENTURY

拍品描述

Ɏ A VERY FINE WHITE JADE ‘LOTUS AND EGRET’ BRUSH REST AND WASHER, 18TH CENTURY China. Skillfully carved in openwork, with the central rhizome issuing leaves and blossoms, a small egret perched on the stem, and a receptacle in the form of a large furled leaf, all richly detailed and meticulously incised. The translucent stone is of a white color with cloudy and icy inclusions, finished with a meticulous polish overall, rendering an unctuous feel. Dimensions: Length 7.2 cm (the jade), 7.7 cm (the stand) With a neatly fitted Zitan wood stand intricately carved in openwork in the form of a bundle of lotus leaves. (2) Egrets provide a homonym for ‘lu’, meaning ‘path’, alluding to attainment. When this imagery is combined with flowering lotus (lian), it forms the auspicious rebus ‘Yilu lianke’ that may be translated as ‘May you pass your exams one after another’. Furthermore, the lotus root, paired with birds and blossoms, forms a symbolic composition conveying wishes for harmony, happiness, and fruitfulness in marriage. While this motif is well established in traditional Chinese art as a blessing for a joyful union and continued lineage, it is rarely encountered in jade. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related larger jade washer in the shape of a lotus root, dated to the Qing dynasty, 31 cm long, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 故玉001707N000000000. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2021, lot 321 Price: GBP 35,250 or approx. EUR 55,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and stone. Note the larger size (15.3 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 24 March 2021, lot 232 Price: GBP 15,120 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related manner of carving, stone, and subject. Note the larger size (21.2 cm). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

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