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PROPERTY FROM THE MORGAN FOUNDATION COLLECTION Compare the flower scrolls on a slightly smaller green jade
A CARVED WHITE JADE ‘BUTTERFLY’ TRIPOD tripod censer, but lacking the suspended rings, formerly
CENSER 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 for
(2) Jade: The Heber Bishop Collection, New York, 2015-6. A small
Length 8½ in., 21.6 cm pale green jade tripod censer carved with three loose rings
on the cover, decorated with low-relief of dragon designs
PROVENANCE on the body, is preserved in the National Palace Museum,
Taipei (accession no. gu-yu-1520). See also a white jade
American Private Collection. tripod censer of similar compressed form but lacking a cover,
Christie’s New York, 21st March 2013, lot 1361.
carved with archaic taotie animal masks in low relief on its
This impressive censer exemplifies the creativity and multiple body, housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing (accession no.
design inspirations of Qing artisans in the latter years of gu-103613).
the dynasty. The tripod censer form reflects the trend The butterflies on the loop handles of the present vessel
for archaism, while the floral scrolls and double-butterfly
handles recall those seen on auspicious marriage bowls of embody an auspicious meaning in Chinese art, symbolizing
blessings and happiness. The famous story of the
the 18th and 19th centuries. Multiple loose rings on jade philosopher Zhuangzi (d. c. 286 BC), who dreamt that he was
vessels were also an especially popular design characteristic a butterfly enjoying a carefree life, flitting between flowers
of the late Qing period.
and sipping delicious nectar, is considered a representation
The quality of the jade is exceptional, as evident in the of a joyful and content existence.
flawless and even white coloration. The material employed
for the present vessel most likely came from the jade-rich ⊖ $ 200,000-300,000
regions of Khotan and Yarkant, after the Qing military forces
conquered the eastern edge of Central Asia in 1759 and
incorporated the territories into the Empire. Jade imported 清末 白玉雕纏枝花卉紋蝶耳活環三足
from this area was of the best quality, thus allowing Qing 蓋爐
carvers to create wares from the purest and brightest white
jade.
來源
美國私人收藏
紐約佳士得2013年3月21日，編號1361

126 SOTHEBY’S COMPLETE CATALOGUING AVAILABLE AT SOTHEBYS.COM/N11074 127