QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A FINE IMPERIAL WHITE JADE 'BAJIXIANG' BOWL AND COVER
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The rounded sides of the bowl is raised on a shallow spreading pedestal foot and well carved in low relief with four of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, Bajixiang, tied with fluttering ribbons set within strap borders conjoined by squared rings enclosing the character Xiang, 'Auspicious'. The domed cover is carved with the remaining four Buddhist Emblems separated by the character Ji, 'Propitious', within similar borders below the reticulated cushion-form knop carved with a coiled dragon clutching a flaming pearl. The well polished stone is of an even white translucent tone with sporadic russet streaks and inclusions.
8 1/2 in. (21.5 cm.) diam., stand

Provenance

Sold at Sotheby's New York, 9 October 1987, lot 150
Sold at Christie's New York, 2 December 1993, lot 74
Sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2002, lot 204

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Lot Essay

The current vessel represents the pinnacle of jade artistry in the 18th century when large boulders of very fine white jade became readily available after the Qianlong Emperor's conquest of the Khotan area in 1759 and were worked to perfection befitting the taste of the imperial family. This vessel is particularly well polished with a glossy satiny finish, and is particularly precious for retaining its original cover.
The Bajixiang is a favoured motif on many imperial jade vessels. Compare to a jade censer bearing this motif from the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in Jadeware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 61; and a white jade lian of similar shape and also carved with the Buddhist Emblems from the De An Tang Collection, illustrated in A Romance with Jade, Beijing, 2004, pl. 104.

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