Page 36 - Bonhams Chinese and Himalayan Paintings June 2016

PROPERTY FROM A CALIFORNIA
PRIVATE COLLECTION, BY DESCENT

8048
A FINE ARCHAISTIC VERY PALE GREENISH-WHITE JADE VASE
Qianlong period
Exceptionally carved from a single piece of very pale greenish-white
stone, the flattened body swelling elegantly before narrowing to rest on
a small stepped foot, the smooth sides minimally embellished with a
band of shallow-carved taotie masks above the foot and another band
of confronted chilong around the neck, flanked by a pair of chilong
handles suspending loose rings, the lip and foot incised with a key fret
band; carved wood stand and cover.
7 7/8in (19.8cm) high

$80,000 - 120,000

清乾隆 青白玉雕 紋雙耳活環
Provenance
By repute, acquired in New York in the 1940s
The present lot is an exceptional example of the quality, tradition and
innovation characteristic of Qianlong period jade workmanship. It is
striking for the elegant balance achieved between the broadly swelling
body and the narrow stepped foot. This playful yet sophisticated
approach to proportion illustrates the craftsman’s ability to respond
to the natural qualities of each individual raw stone, and to create a
unique form within the prevailing tradition of archaism.
While the proportions of the present lot are exceptionally rare and
pleasing, the contrast between the restrained, smoothly polished
body and the delicate low relief archaistic decorative bands is typical
of Qianlong period design. The refined carving allows the purity and
translucence of the natural stone to be appreciated fully, so taking
full advantage of the highest quality stones from Khotan that became
available following the subjugation of injiang. The use of motifs such
as the taotie mask, derived from archaic bronzes, embodies the
preoccupation of the Qianlong Emperor himself to restore China’s
greatness through studying the strict moral principles of ancient times.
For related examples of fine archaistic jade vases, see a square
form vase carved with taotie masks from the Qing Court Collection
illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace
Museum: Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 2006, no. 146, and a vase and
cover from the Joanna Lau Sullivan Collection sold in our New York
rooms, sale 23337, 14 March 2016, lot 8064.

34 | BONHAMS