QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

The present brushpot is exceptional for its generous proportions, superb carving and use of superb quality stone, and would have been an important addition to the desk of a successful scholar or official. It is replete with auspicious symbolism, and numerous good wishes are conveyed through the carved decoration. On the front of the brush pot, a scholar and his attendant carry sprigs of lingzhi and peaches, both representing long life and immortality. This wish is furthered by the presence of pine trees and a crane in flight, both also symbolic of longevity. Finally, a pair of deer, known to accompany Shoulao, the god of Longevity, and themselves symbols of immortality, can be seen nestling amidst a jagged outcrop. Other auspicious wishes can be found amist the decoration. For example, a boy carrying a halberd (ji) hung with a jade chime (qing) forms the rebus jiqing, or 'auspicious happiness.' In addition, Wutong trees can be seeing growing amidst the pine boughs. Wutong trees are known as the only tree on which the phoenix will alight, and are therefore associated with this majestic bird, which only appears in times of peace and prosperity. Compare the smaller brushpot (13 cm. high), dated to the Qing dynasty, carved with a scene of a scholar in a pavilion observing his young attendant, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, no. 167. A larger (18 cm. high) example with similar decoration, also dated to the Qianlong period, is illustrated by R. Kleiner in Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, 1996, no. 112. See, also, two white jade brush pots sold at Christie's New York, 17 September 2008, lot 329, and 18 March 2009, lot 433.