Page 220 - Sotheby's Fine Chinese Art NYC September 2023

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PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTION Compare the flower scrolls on a slightly smaller green jade
A WHITE JADE ‘BUTTERFLY’ TRIPOD CENSER tripod censer, but lacking the suspended rings, formerly
AND COVER in the collection of Heber R. Bishop, now preserved in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (accession no.
LATE QING DYNASTY 02.18.665), included in the Museum’s exhibition A Passion
(2) for Jade: The Heber Bishop Collection, New York, 2015-6.
Length 8½ in., 21.6 cm A small pale green jade tripod censer carved with three
loose rings on the cover, decorated with low-relief of dragon
PROVENANCE designs on the body, is preserved in the National Palace
American Private Collection. Museum, Taipei (accession no. gu-yu-1520). See also a
Christie’s New York, 22nd March 2013, lot 1361. white jade tripod censer of similar compressed form but
lacking a cover, carved with archaic taotie animal masks in
This impressive censer exemplifies the creativity and low relief on its body, housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing
multiple design inspirations of Qing artisans in the latter (accession no. gu-103613).
years of the dynasty. The archaistic form is rooted in
tradition, while the floral scrolls and double-butterfly handles The butterflies on the loop handles of the present vessel
recall the lavish and auspicious jade marriage bowls of the embody an auspicious meaning in Chinese art, symbolizing
18th and 19th centuries. Multiple loose rings on jade vessels, blessings and happiness. The famous story of the
a technique tour de force, were a much admired feature of philosopher Zhuangzi (d. c. 286 BC), who dreamt that he
the late Qing period. was a butterfly enjoying a carefree life, flitting between
flowers and sipping delicious nectar, is considered a
The quality of the jade is exceptional, as evidenced by the representation of a joyful and content existence.
flawless, even white color. The valuable stone most likely
came from the jade-rich regions of Khotan and Yarkant, ⊖ $ 70,000-90,000
after the Qing military forces conquered the eastern edge of
Central Asia in 1759 and incorporated the territories into the
Empire. Jade imported from this area was of the best quality, 清末 白玉雕纏枝花卉紋蝶耳活環三足
thus allowing Qing carvers to create wares from the purest 蓋爐
and brightest white jade.
來源
美國私人收藏
紐約佳士得2013年3月22日，編號1361

436 SOTHEBY’S COMPLETE CATALOGUING AVAILABLE AT SOTHEBYS.COM/N11275 437