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Lot Essay
This finely carved vase was part of the treasures from the Prince Kung Collection sold at the American Art Galleries auction in New York in 1913, as part of Pu Wei (1880-1936), the second Prince Kung's effort to raise funds to restore the dethroned Qing dynasty.
Pu Wei was the grandson of the first Prince Kung, Yixin, who was the sixth son of the Daoguang Emperor as well as one of the most influential figures in China during the second half of the 19th century, playing an important role in China's domestic and international affairs. He was frequently invited by his brother Emperor Xianfeng to visit the Palace so that they could view art and antiques together. In view of these circumstances, Prince Kung became one of the most informed antique experts among the imperial princes. It was generally agreed that his collection was typical of those found in Qing palaces in terms of quality and variety. This jadeite vase is of no exception, having been carved utilising the stone's resplendent hues of green with powerful dragons.
In 1851 the prince was given an extensive mansion by the Xianfeng Emperor. This 18th century mansion, which is now a museum, became known as the most sumptuous in Beijing and was luxuriously furnished.
Upon Yixin's death in 1898, Pu Wei inherited the Imperial title of Prince Kung as well as his grandfather's sumptuous mansion in Beijing containing his immense art collection. A year after the Qing Empire was overthrown in 1911, Pu Wei made the painful decision to sell the family treasures in this mansion in order to reverse the defeat of the Qing dynasty, and entrusted them to the Japanese antique dealer Yamanaka Sadajiro. He wrote in his diary on 17th January 1912: 'There will be severe regrets for this decision. A sacrifice of the family has to be made in order to extricate a troubled country. In this view, a dealer must be found for the antiques to be turned into funds'.
Although Prince Kung was unable to reverse the tide in history and his efforts ended in vain, this jadeite vase, as well as the many other treasures from the Prince Kung Collection, will stay as a testimony attesting to the Prince's selfless attempt to redeem his family glory.
Compare to a jade mountain sold in the same 1913 sale from the Prince Kung Collection, recently sold at Bonhams London, 17 May 2012, lot 54.
Pu Wei was the grandson of the first Prince Kung, Yixin, who was the sixth son of the Daoguang Emperor as well as one of the most influential figures in China during the second half of the 19th century, playing an important role in China's domestic and international affairs. He was frequently invited by his brother Emperor Xianfeng to visit the Palace so that they could view art and antiques together. In view of these circumstances, Prince Kung became one of the most informed antique experts among the imperial princes. It was generally agreed that his collection was typical of those found in Qing palaces in terms of quality and variety. This jadeite vase is of no exception, having been carved utilising the stone's resplendent hues of green with powerful dragons.
In 1851 the prince was given an extensive mansion by the Xianfeng Emperor. This 18th century mansion, which is now a museum, became known as the most sumptuous in Beijing and was luxuriously furnished.
Upon Yixin's death in 1898, Pu Wei inherited the Imperial title of Prince Kung as well as his grandfather's sumptuous mansion in Beijing containing his immense art collection. A year after the Qing Empire was overthrown in 1911, Pu Wei made the painful decision to sell the family treasures in this mansion in order to reverse the defeat of the Qing dynasty, and entrusted them to the Japanese antique dealer Yamanaka Sadajiro. He wrote in his diary on 17th January 1912: 'There will be severe regrets for this decision. A sacrifice of the family has to be made in order to extricate a troubled country. In this view, a dealer must be found for the antiques to be turned into funds'.
Although Prince Kung was unable to reverse the tide in history and his efforts ended in vain, this jadeite vase, as well as the many other treasures from the Prince Kung Collection, will stay as a testimony attesting to the Prince's selfless attempt to redeem his family glory.
Compare to a jade mountain sold in the same 1913 sale from the Prince Kung Collection, recently sold at Bonhams London, 17 May 2012, lot 54.