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A PALE GREEN AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A PHOENIX According to the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas’ Shanhai Jing 山
18th century 海经, compiled during the Han dynasty, the phoenix embodies
Finely carved, the mythical bird modelled recumbent with its claws benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity, which
neatly tucked underneath the body, the wings and long tail with curling an empress should possess. Carved grasping a branch of blossoming
feathers, holding a long leafy spray issuing peony blossoms to its peonies, the present lot is enriched with further symbolism relating
beak, the stone of pale green tone with russet inclusions. to love and feminine beauty. See a larger pale green jade carving
10.5cm (4 1/8in) high of a phoenix, 18th century, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge,
illustrated by J.C.S.Lin, The Immortal Stone. Chinese Jades from the
£18,000 - 20,000 Neolithic period to the twentieth century, London, 2009, p.134 (bottom
CNY160,000 - 180,000 centre image).
A related pale green jade carving of a phoenix, 18th century, was sold
十八世紀 青白玉帶皮鳳銜牡丹擺件 in these Rooms, 13 May 2010, lot 14.
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. FINE CHINESE ART | 301