Page 15 - Bonhams Asian Art May 15-16 2023

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AN ARCHAISTIC JADE TABLET, GUIBI The combination of the gui and bi into a single object was part of the
Ming Dynasty or later interest in archaism which arose from the Song Dynasty onwards.
Carved with an archaistic bi on one side incised with four taotie In the words of Jessica Rawson, who illustrates a Ming example
masks, flanked by a blade incised with curling waves over the Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p.92,
base of the shaft, and a sprawling chi dragon turning to look down fig.88, ‘although no such combination of disc and pointed blade
towards the bi, the reverse incised with a star constellation. had existed, the attempt at the combination and careful rendering
14.5cm (5 3/4in) long of the surface ornament indicate concern, if displaced, for historical
accuracy’ (p. 91). The Guyu tupu, compiled in 1176 by imperial
£2,000 - 3,000 commission, is the among the first such books on ancient jades to
illustrate a guibi.
HK$19,000 - 29,000
CNY17,000 - 26,000 This jade was collected by two important 20th Century collectors.
Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871 – 1941) collected widely and lent
Provenance pieces for major exhibitions of Chinese art held at the Royal Academy
P.H. Plesch Collection [label] in London in 1935 and 1936. Professor Peter Hariolf Plesch (1918
Mrs. Christian R. Holmes Collection [label] - 2013), doctor to Albert Einstein, was a member of the Oriental
A London private collection amassed between the 1970s and 1990s Ceramic Society and known for his fascination with Chinese glass.
and thence by descent.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. ASIAN ART - PART I | 13