Page 217 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art London Nov. 2019

167 (front and reverse)

168 *
A RARE ARCHAISTIC YELLOW JADE SWORD SLIDE
17th/18th century
Of rectangular profile with incised C-scrolls across the flat top and a
taotie mask that fills the curving tip near the reticulated rectangular
loop on the underside, the stone of light greenish-yellow tone.
9.5cm (3 3/4in) long.

£3,000 - 5,000
CNY27,000 - 44,000

十七/十八世紀 仿古紋黃玉劍璏

Provenance: Quek Kiok Lee Collection (1921 – 2018), Singapore,
and thence by descent

來源：新加坡郭克禮（1921 – 2018）舊藏，並由後人保存迄今

The archaistic motif on the present lot reflects the scholarly trend of
the ‘search for evidence’ (kaozheng 考證) movement beginning in the
early 17th century. Although this movement originated in a renewed
scholarly interest in ancient texts and inscriptions on archaic bronzes,
as literati sought a more empirical approach to understanding their
ancient heritage, it led to a greater fascination for decorative designs
adopted from ancient bronzes too. Responding to this wave of
archaism which would later be adopted by the imperial court, artisans
reproduced the motifs and patterns of ancient bronzes on their jades
wares. Although designed as a sword slide, it could easily be used by
literati as a stand for ink sticks or as a scroll-weight.
168

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 | 215