Page 52 - Bonhams Scholars Art and Instruments Hong Kong December 2, 2021

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A LAVENDER JADEITE ‘BOYS’ WASHER Instruments held by the boys, sheng, qing and bolang gu were three
Late Qing Dynasty of the earliest musical instruments in China. However, they also had
The washer in the shape of a globular vase, carved around with five been motifs in art representing auspicious meanings such as peace,
boys climbing and playing on the side, one boy holding a sheng, one longevity and numerous sons. Five boys carved on this washer
holding a hand-drum, the third on climbing on another boy’s shoulder represents the rebus ‘wuzi dengke’ or ‘May all the sons attain highest
holding a qin (chime), the stone of pale lavender and apple-green hues honours in the Imperial examination’.
suffused with milky mottling, stand, box.
12.5cm (5in) high. (3). 紫羅蘭翡翠雕作一大收腹圓缸，缸壁上下圓雕五個童子，一童子伏於
一持笙童子身後，一持鼓，一持磬攀於一童子肩頭，石透淡紫色，間以
HKD80,000 - 120,000 青綠翠色。
US$10,000 - 15,000
五子寓意五子登科，所持笙、磬及鼓為中國最古老的樂器，後世多做為
清晚期 紫羅蘭翡翠五子登科洗 裝飾元素，充滿吉慶、長生、多子的寓意。

50 | BONHAMS