Page 115 - Important Chinese Art Hong Kong April 2, 2019 Sotheby's

Masterfully carved to various depths of relief, this extremely symbolises fertility, the number three is also significant. In
rare double-sided screen is an outstanding example of the Daoism, three symbolises the three elements of heaven,
highest level of jade carving of the Qing dynasty. The three earth and human being, and an old Chinese proverb
figures, pavilion and trees give the impression of being encapsulates the importance of three: “The wisdom of three
modelled entirely in the round due to the exceptional degree ordinary people exceeds that of the wisest individual”.
of undercutting, and the different textures of these elements Similarly carved white jade screens of circular form, the
are skilfully executed. Further evidence of the craftsman’s figural scene also framed within swirling clouds, include two
technical expertise is seen in the delicate details captured, from the De An Tang collection, included in the exhibition,
such as the bending reeds of millet, which would have been A Romance of Jade from the De An Tang Collection, Palace
difficult to successfully capture due to the unyielding nature Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. nos. 25 and 26; and a pair, one
of the material.
from the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge,
Screens such as the present piece were seldom created and the other from the Frederick Knight collection, illustrated
before the Qianlong period due to the rarity of large flawless in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of
pieces of jade, and were fashioned from carefully chosen Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 123, sold
highly translucent stones, which would enhance the differing at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th November 2007, lot 1511.
depths of the carved pictorial scene. The particular challenge See also a screen sold three times in these rooms, 16th
presented to carvers of jade table screens was to compose November 1989, lot 640, 9th October 2007, lot 1579, and
two different designs for each side that would not interfere 8th October 2013, lot 3042; and another sold in our London
with but rather enhance the other when light was shone rooms, 28th October 1988, lot 285.
through. Thus the viewer could easily be transported into the Jade plaques were often paired with vibrantly enamelled
tranquil and inviting landscapes such as the present.
stands, providing an attractive contrast to the monochrome
The Qianlong Emperor advocated that jade mountains and jade, of which the present is a particularly sumptuous
carved panels should carry the spirit of paintings by famous example. Ornately embellished with elaborate gilt-bronze
masters of the past. It is recorded that a number of classical scrolls, it clearly reveals the Western rococo influence that
paintings from the Emperor’s own collection was ordered was popular in the Qianlong court. As characteristic of
to be reproduced in jade, such as the celebrated painting contemporary imperial porcelain designs, Western motifs
Travellers in the Mountains, by the eminent Five Dynasties have been combined with traditional Chinese elements, seen
painter Guan Tong (907-960). The sense of harmony here through the lotus panel and lotus petals. A green jade
between the figures and the vast landscape in this panel is a plaque, mounted on a similarly opulent gilt-bronze stand
good example of the type of carving the Qianlong Emperor embellished with cloisonné enamel, from the collection of Sir
envisioned. John Mullens and included in the Oriental Ceramic Society
exhibition Chinese Jade throughout the Ages, Victoria and
The three boys carved on this plaque carry further Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 412, was sold in our
auspicious meaning. While boys at play were frequently London rooms, 8th June 1982, lot 322.
depicted from the Ming dynasty to represent the wish
for many noble sons, also referenced in the millet which

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