Page 94 - March 17 2017 Chinese Art NYC, Christies

1075 PROPERTY FROM THE WU MAODING FAMILY
COLLECTION
1076
1075
92 A WHITE JADE CARVING OF A
POMEGRANATE

18TH CENTURY
The stone is carved as a rounded pomegranate
bursting open on one side to reveal its seeds
and encircled by a gnarled, leafy stem bearing a
blossom, a circular opening in the base reveals
the well-hollowed interior. The stone is of an even
white tone.
2º in. (5.7 cm.) wide

$5,000-7,000

PROVENANCE

Wu Maoding (1850-1928) Collection, and thence
by descent within the family.
清十八世紀 白玉石榴形水丞

1076
A WHITE JADE ‘DOUBLE-GOURD’ SEAL

18TH CENTURY
The seal of double-gourd form is surmounted by
a clambering chilong carved in high relief with
its head turned backwards over the shoulder,
and the underside is carved in seal script with
the characters Yangxing Zhai (‘Studio of the
Cultivation of Nature’). The greenish-white stone
has some natural striations.
2 in. (5 cm.) long, box

$6,000-8,000

PROVENANCE

Wu Maoding (1850-1928) Collection, and thence
by descent within the family.

The Studio of the Cultivation of Nature is a
secluded retreat within the imperial gardens in
the northwest section of the Forbidden City. The
studio and surrounding gardens are designed
with an artifcial hill and elaborate rockery to
evoke the feeling of being in a remote landscape
and thereby cultivate a sense of peace. The last
Qing emperor, Pu Yi, was instructed by his British
tutor Reginald Johnston in this studio.
清十八世紀 白玉螭龍鈕葫蘆形印

1076 (impression)