Page 250 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art II

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF DR. LEONARD AND MRS. ANN MARSAK
2394
A LARGE PALE GREYISH-GREEN JADE PEACH-FORM BRUSH WASHER
18TH CENTURY

The vessel is well carved as a large peach borne on a gnarled, leafy branch that extends around
the sides and base. The bottom of the interior is carved in high relief with a single bat in fight
with outstretched wings, while four further bats are shown in fight around the sides and
shoulder of the vessel. The stone is of pale greyish-white color with some opaque mottling
and veins.
9º in. (23.6 cm) wide, carved wood stand

$50,000-70,000

PROVENANCE:

Collection of Sir Isaac (1897-1991) and Lady Edith Specterman (d. 1981) Wolfson.
Sotheby’s London, 8 June 1982, lot 303.
Ashkenazie & Co., San Francisco, 1982.
Dr. Leonard and Mrs. Ann Marsak Collection.

LITERATURE:

A. Maynard, ‘Chinese and Indian Jade Carvings in the Collection of Sir Isaac and Lady
Wolfson’, The Connoisseur, June 1963, fg. 6.
Arts of Asia, September-October 1982 (inside front cover).

The present jade brush washer, impressive for its substantial size and deep, fne carving, would have
been an important addition to the desk of a scholar or offcial. The fve bats (wufu) seen in the carving
represent the Five Blessings: longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death. The
combination of bats (fu) and peaches (shoutao), forms the rebus fushou shuangquan, or ‘may you
possess both blessings and longevity’, thus adding to the auspicious symbolism.

清十八世紀 灰青玉雕「福壽雙全」桃式洗

(additional views)

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