Page 34 - March 17, 2020 Imperial Jade and Cloisonne, Sotheby's, New York

This pair of jade parfumiers is notable for its large size and
the containers and the fragrance or smoke would be released
the skillfully carved composition around its cylindrical form. through the openwork design. Parfumiers made of jade were
They are wider and taller than most other surviving examples highly prestigious items, as bamboo was more often used to
of this type. To create such a well-matched pair from a natural create such holders.
material required the careful selection of a sizeable jade boulder Compare a pair of jade parfumiers depicting a birthday
of good quality. On such a tubular form, the relief carving celebration, with an ivory base and jasper top, preserved in
was treated like a handscroll painting. As the parfumiers are the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of
turned, the landscape and immortals unfold as a continuous Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade. Qing Dynasty, vol. 8,
scene. Intricately carved in high and undercut relief, the figures Beijing, 2011, pl. 198; another pair with immortals and their
and rocks on the incense holders appear almost in the round, attendants, of rectangular section, sold in our Hong Kong rooms,
creating a strong sense of depth in the landscape.
8th April 2011, lot 3239; one of square section but with rounded
Parfumiers of this type, which were popular starting in the corners, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 4210;
late Ming period (1368-1644), were used to scent rooms and one of cylindrical form, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 6th April
repel insects. Perfume or incense sticks were placed inside 2015, lot 252; and a further cylindrical example, sold at Christie’s
New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 1949.