MASTER OF THE ROCKS SCHOOL, 1740-1840

Details

**A FINELY CARVED YELLOWISH-GREEN AND RUSSET-BROWN JADE SNUFF BOTTLE
MASTER OF THE ROCKS SCHOOL, 1740-1840
Of well-hollowed form with concave lip and recessed, slightly convex oval foot surrounded by a footrim, carved in relief on one side with a scholar leaning on the trunk of a gnarled old pine tree gazing at the sun as it rises above formalized waves in a mountain brook, with lingzhi growing nearby and a bat flying amidst formalized clouds above his head, the narrow sides with mask and ring handles, tourmaline stopper with gilt-silver collar
2 in. (6.43 cm.) high

Provenance

George Tcheng, Taipei
Christie's, Hong Kong, 1 November 1994, lot 1387

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The Master of the Rocks School seems to have specialized in carvings from this distinctive material. The School's main output was bottles carved with landscape designs, but many other subjects are recorded, including a few with chi dragon designs which may have been partly produced for the Court. The quality of carving and the use of material of the present bottle are typical of this School.

For other examples of snuff bottles from the Master of the Rocks School, see lot 50 and Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, Vol. 1, Jade, nos. 136-141.

The subject may be an abbreviated version of the Four Noble Professions, since the School is known to have used two of the professions to represent all four. However, in this case the additional symbolism of the rising sun (representing success in the Civil Service) and the bat (standing for happiness - the bat combined with the clouds also stands for good fortune), probably represents a wish for the scholar to enjoy a successful career as an Official, while enjoying good fortune and longevity - represented by the rocks, lingzhi and pine tree.

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