Page 53 - MANDARIN & MENAGERIE: THE SOWELL COLLECTION, PART II

663
A PALE CELADON JADE MOUNTAIN-FORM CARVING
18TH-19TH CENTURY

Of irregular shape, the stone is carved and pierced on one side with
a crane grasping a lingzhi stem in its beak turning its head towards a
smaller crane beneath gnarled pine trees, and on the reverse with two
deer beneath peach and pine trees.
9æ in. (24.8 cm.) long, wood stand

$20,000-30,000

PROVENANCE:

Christie’s South Kensington, 12 November 2004, lot 471.
The James E. Sowell Collection, Dallas, Texas.

Deer and cranes symbolize long life, as they are both companions of
Shoulao, the god of Longevity. In addition, the Chinese word for deer is a
homophone with the word for ‘emoluments’. The deer and crane can also
symbolize a married couple. Taken together with the pine tree, which is an
evergreen, they form the rebus helu tongchun, ‘may the couple be forever
young’.

清十八/十九世紀 青白玉鏤雕鶴鹿同春山子

51