FEATURES ARCHIVE

From the Neolithic period to modern times, jade has held a position of utmost cultural and artistic importance for the Chinese. Prized for its perceived mystical properties, centuries-old history, luxurious, gem-like qualities, and its auspicious symbolism, jade carvings remain one of the most highly sought-after categories of Chinese art for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Pure white nephrite is among the rarest and most desirable forms of jade. The term “jade” in fact refers to two different types of stone: nephrite, which was sourced from the Khotan province in China and which largely exhibits white and green hues, and jadeite, its jewel-quality counterpart which appears in white and green as well as bright lavender. Jadeite was introduced in the 18th century when it was imported from nearby Burma.

Many of the white jades in our sale date to the 18th century, when the Qianlong Emperor’s patronage ushered in a prolific period of jade production via the Imperial workshops. It was during this era that the most talented craftsmen produced the finest carvings designated for court use, and jade increasingly became a popular symbol of status among officials and the wealthy upper class.

Although these pieces are small in size, they are carved with exacting detail, and showcase the magnificent skill of the carver’s hand. Many also display auspicious symbols that emerge from the nephrite’s milky translucent ground. A tiger and dragon locked in battle represents the meeting of two powerful forces, while a charming frog offers a symbol of fertility. Elsewhere, a baby dragon, identified by its single horn and bifurcated tail, climbs atop the flaming pearl of wisdom, and a catfish, a sign of wealth and prosperity, curls around a cluster of lingzhi, the magical mushroom of immortality.

To Have and to Hold…
To fully appreciate these magnificent carvings, one must hold them in the palm of the hand, turning them to feel their smooth, soft surfaces and tracing the elaborately carved forms. We invite you to experience these miniature sculptural gems during our presale exhibition. Join us from March 19–24 when the entire sale will be on view in Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza galleries.