Page 201 - March 22 2022 Bonhams

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
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A FINE AND RARE GREY JADE ARCHAISTIC QUATREFOIL- The archaistic motif on the present lot reflects the scholarly trend of
LOBED TWO-HANDLED CUP the ‘search for evidence’ (kaozheng 考證) movement beginning in the
Ming Dynasty early 17th century. Although this movement originated in a renewed
The thick-walled vessel supported on a waisted quatrefoil foot scholarly interest in ancient texts and inscriptions on archaic bronzes,
bordered in key pattern, below a band of taotie-masks on the lobed as literati sought a more empirical approach to understanding their
body below chevron lappets at the waisted shoulder and further key- ancient heritage, it led to a greater fascination for decorative designs
pattern at the rim, horned animal-head masks forming the handles at adopted from ancient bronzes too.
the sides.
Several jade cups with chilong or animal-form handles and archaistic
4 7/8in (12.3cm) across the handles, box designs dating to the Ming dynasty are illustrated in the Compendium
of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, 7, Beijing, 2011, nos.138,
$12,000 - 14,000 148. See also Bonhams, London, 5 November 2020, lot 135, also
carved with an archaistic design based on archaic bronze sources;
and Sotheby’s, New York, 21 September 2021, lot 51, for a more
明 仿古灰玉四棱雙耳杯 thinly-cut eight-lobed jade cup with T-shape handles of similar size.

CHINESE WORKS OF ART | 199