Page 181 - Sothebys Important Chinese Art April 3 2018

fig. 3 fig. 4
Large khotan-green jade archaistic vase, Qing Xijing gujian [Catalogue of Chinese ritual bronzes in the collection of the Qianlong Emperor], juan
dynasty, Qianlong period 21, pl. 5
Image Courtesy of Palace Museum, Beijing

large jade vases were occasioned by the ample supply of raw vase the cracks could be avoided, that would be a good
jade. From extant evidence it appears that the jade vase with solution, but if even then the cracks could not be avoided, then
aquatic creatures was one of the earliest large-scale archaistic it would be better to maintain the intended size, as such cracks
jades created during the Qianlong reign (fig. 3). 8 were a natural characteristic of jade after all.
Aside from a minority created in the palace workshops, these The present jade vase and the jade vases in the Palace
jade vases with aquatic creatures mentioned in court records Museum collection show spots and cracks, defects that were
were generally created by the Suzhou Manufactory and the not important for the Qianlong Emperor, who in fact thought
Yangzhou-based Lianghuai Salt Administration based on they added to the archaic feeling of a work. This aesthetic use
painted plans. The Tianjin-based Changlu Salt Administration of material defects can also be seen in other archaistic jade
sometimes created them too. To create such a large vase, objects created during the Qianlong reign, indicating that the
shanliao raw jade (that is large pieces extracted from a mine) Emperor considered the craft and decorative program of a jade
is required. In the 40th year of the Qianlong reign, the eunuch object more important than the quality of the raw material.
Ruyi submitted fourteen pieces of shanliao raw green-and-
The records of the palace workshops indicate that the vase
white jade, one of which weighed some 240 jin and was sent
with aquatic creatures was one of Qianlong’s favourite
to the Shuwen Workshop at the Suzhou Manufactory to be
archaistic object type. The first such vases were based on
made into a jade vase with aquatic creatures according to a
paintings of a bronze vase. However, current archaeological
painting. In the 41st year, a piece of raw green jade weighing
evidence indicates this bronze object type in fact dates from
230 jin was similarly made into a vase according to a painting
the Warring States period, not from the Han dynasty as
by the Shuwen Workshop. Again in the 52nd year, Zhengrui of
Qianlong believed.
the Lianghuai Salt Administration was given five pieces of raw
jade, one of which was made into a large jade vase with aquatic Bronze vases originated in the Shang dynasty and persisted
creatures. in popularity into the Han dynasty. They came in a variety of
forms, with long or short necks; straight or tapered mouths;
Shanliao raw jade invariably contains spots and cracks,
tubular, animal-head, or animal-ear loop handles; ring- or
which added constraints to sizing. During the 44th year of
square-feet; round, square, ovoid, flat, or gourd-shaped
the Qianlong reign, the Suzhou Manufactory was ordered to
bodies. During the late Spring and Autumn period and the
create a jade vase from a piece of shanliao raw jade. Because
Warring States period, bronze vases with round bodies were
of cracks in the jade, the intended size was not possible, and
popular. Their decorative programmes were often divided
the Manufactory sought further instruction from the Emperor.
into several bands, and they often featured animal-head loop
Qianlong responded that if by reducing the size of the finished
handles. Han-dynasty bronze vases tended to have plain
surfaces and animal-head loop handles.
IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 179