Page 84 - Bonhams Chinese Works of Art December 2015 Hong Kong

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A FINELY CARVED PALE GREEN JADE MAGPIE
Mid-Qing Dynasty
Carved recumbent with head twisted right looking backwards, its
wings and talons tucked snugly and feathers finely incised, its curved
beak biting on a leafy stem with blossoming plum blossoms, the stone
of an even pale green tone, wood stand.
14.8cm (5 3/4in) long (2).
HK$150,000 - 250,000
US$19,000 - 32,000
清中期 青白玉雕喜鵲銜梅擺件
Provenance 來源:
Elizabeth Julia Wallace Waller (1863-1919) collection, Chicago,
and thence by descent
伊麗莎白朱麗葉·華萊士·沃勒（1863-1919）舊藏，後由家族繼承
According to ancient beliefs, magpies are believed to be birds of
prophecy who supposedly could future events, as magpies announce
the arrival of guests. Magpies are known as the ‘bird of joy’ or ‘bird of
happiness’, as its name 喜鵲 xique is a pun for joy and happiness
喜 xi. Together with plum blossoms 梅 mei, which is the symbol for
spring 春 chun, they form the meaning of ‘joyfully announcing the
arrival of spring’, 喜報春先 xibao chunxian. The plum blossoms are
the first tree to bloom in late winter and early spring, representing the
happiness of springtime and rejuvenation in old age.

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