Page 92 - Christie's Hong Kong May 31, 2017 Important Chinese Ceramics and Art

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

~ 3033

A KNIFE WITH WHITE JADE HILT AND BAMBOO 清乾隆 文竹貼染色象牙刀鞘及鑲白玉柄刀

VENEERED AND GREEN STAINED-IVORY 來源
斯賓克，倫敦，1986年
SHEATH Adrian Joseph珍藏
Ashfield珍藏
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) 香港邦瀚斯，2013年5月26日，拍品303號

The elongated knife is mounted on a white jade hilt, fitted with 此刀造工精緻，結合白玉、象牙、文竹等貴重材料，應為王公貴冑所
a bamboo-veneered sheath mounted with metal fittings and 用。其中刀鞘中央的象牙朵花紋實為內藏牙籤，更是匠心獨運。可參考
decorated with green stained-ivory appliqués in the form of 北京故宮博物院藏一把刀，刀鋒為象牙，刀鞘及柄為花卉紋文竹，見
archaistic scrolls at both sides, the central floral motif on one side 2009年深圳出版故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系《文物》，圖版171號。
is detachable to reveal a concealed toothpick incised on the back
with the character san (three).
13 Ω in. (34.4 cm.) long overall

HK$700,000-900,000 US$91,000-120,000

PROVENANCE

Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1986
Adrian Joseph Collection (d. 2010)
Ashfield Collection
Sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 26 May 2013, lot 303

The current knife combines various precious materials and intricate
techniques including white jade, stained ivory and veneered bamboo,
suggesting it was made for imperial use. The concealed ivory toothpick
is particularly cleverly designed to delight and surprise. Compare to
an ivory knife in the Palace Museum Collection, featuring an ivory
blade, bamboo-veneered hilt and sheath decorated with floral scrolls,
illustrated in Small Refined Articles of the Study, The Complete
Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Shenzhen, 2009, pl. 171.

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