Page 50 - Sothebys Speelman Gems of Chinese Art
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A WHITE JADE ‘BOYS’
           BRUSH WASHER


           XU LIN







           This white jade ‘boys’ brush washer (lot 3410),   This jade brush washer was originally in the
           18.4 cm long, 12 cm wide and 6.3 cm high, is   collection of Charles Stanley Nott and illustrated
           carved from high quality Hetian white jade. The   in his book, published in 1942. This book was
           jade is smooth to touch, bright and brilliant.   a limited edition of 1000 copies. A copy sold
           Of oval form, it is skillfully worked, flanked by   at Christie’s New York auction, September
           two boys depicted climbing at the rim, both   2012. Nott lived from 1902 to 1957, and was an
           plump with exaggerated heads and ears, and   important jade collector, scholar and researcher.
           smiling faces. When we examine it closely, we   He published books about jade, starting in
           immediately appreciate its lustrous quality. The   1927 with his research notes and images. They
           whole object is exquisite, one boy carved with   illustrate considerable numbers of jade found in
           evergreen in his hand, the other with lingzhi,   overseas collections, of which the majority of the
           meaning ‘Wannian ruyi’ (‘May you live for 10,000   Imperial jades illustrated in the books came from
           years’). The exterior of the washer is carved with   his own private collection. They also recalled
           lingzhi, and the leaves and trunks extend down   his research into Chinese jade, including its
           to the base. The interior and exterior are both   development and workmanship. He is one of the
           polished to the same level of perfection, and the   earliest Westerners to learn, love and research
           details are perfect. It is preserved complete with   jade.
           its original wood stand, made from two parts
                                                It can be said of brush washers, that people’s
           which stand together. The upper part is carved
                                                first impression is that they are from the
           with lingzhi, bamboo and rocks, the lower part
                                                scholar’s desk. There is a book from the Ming
           embellished with silver. The upper part of the
                                                Dynasty scholar Gao Lian, ‘Zunsheng Bajian’,
           stand perfectly fits the lower contours of the
                                                that talks of the function of the brush washer:
           brush washer. Clearly it was created for the
           current jade washer. The surface of the washer   “After you use the brush to write, place it in
           is exquisite. From the superb workmanship and   the washer to wash out the ink. Otherwise the
           the delicate articulation of the face, the robes,   brush will get crispy and not last long. From
           the shape of the boys and the stand itself, it is   here you can see the washer is used for washing
           typical mid Qing workmanship, and clearly fits   brushes.” 1
           the characteristics of Qianlong workmanship.
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