Page 46 - March 17, 2020 Imperial Jade and Cloisonne, Sotheby's, New York

○ 25 A RARE AND LARGE INSCRIBED 清十九世紀 翡翠祥雲捧月圖大
LAVENDER JADEITE
插屏
RECTANGULAR TABLE SCREEN
題識：
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
祥雲捧月
of vertical orientation, one side carved and gilt on the upper
left with the phrase xiangyun pengyue [the auspicious clouds 來源
embracing the moon], the rest of the screen left plain to show Frank L. Babbott 伉儷收藏，1924年得於印度
off the vibrant stone, brilliantly variegated with shades of vivid 1971年贈予布魯克林博物館，布魯克林 (館藏編
lavender, lilac, white, apple- and emerald-green, with a few icy 號71.116.1)
fissures running throughout, polished to a high sheen
16½ by 12⅜ in.; 42 cm by 31.5 cm

PROVENANCE
Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Frank L. Babbott, acquired in India,
1924.
Gifted to the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, in 1971 (acc. no.
71.116.1).
Vibrant shades of lavender, lilac, apple- and emerald-green
coalesce on the surface of this table screen, suggesting visions
of misty clouds, tall peaks, or ethereal landscapes. Seen together
with its poetic four-character inscription, the screen encourages
one to contemplate nature and conjure serene landscapes far
removed from one’s immediate confines of the studio.
The present piece likely draws on the tradition of Ming and Qing
marble ‘dreamstone’ panels that resembled ink paintings and
evoked imaginary vistas. Its inscription recalls the practice of
adding calligraphy or seals to ‘dreamstone’ panels, another
allusion to literati painting. Although jadeite was known in China
before the Qing period, it was only during the later 18th century
that trade routes and supply from Burma were stabilized.
Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was an ardent fan of the
material. Most extant jadeite table screens are carved with
designs, making this example particularly rare.
A plain lavender and green jadeite table screen with a zitan and
mother-of-pearl-inlaid stand is in the collection of the Fitzwilliam
Museum, Cambridge, illustrated in James C. S. Lin, The Immortal
Stone: Chinese Jades from the Neolithic Period to the Twentieth
Century, London, 2009, pl. 130. Another with more even mottling
was offered at Christie’s New York, 22nd March 2012, lot 1923.
For a plain spinach-green jade table screen that also belongs to
this tradition, see one sold at Christie’s London, 8th November
2011, lot 525.
$ 40,000-60,000

88 PROPERTY FROM THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM, SOLD TO SUPPORT MUSEUM COLLECTIONS 89