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Lot Essay
The present album comprises four inscribed rectangular jade plaques of translucent pale celadon tone mounted in yellow silk between carved and inscribed boxwood covers with scrolling lotus blooms. Each plaque is bound facing its corresponding rubbings.
Emperor Qianlong had a particular affinity for jades, believing that while paper might last a thousand years, jade would endure forever. He commissioned important ancient calligraphy and paintings – including masterpieces by renowned artists and Buddhist scriptures - to be incised onto jades. These were then compiled into albums for future generations.
The Sutra on the Eight Realisations of Great Beings, translated by An Shigao during the Eastern Han dynasty, expounds the eight principles proclaimed by Sakyamuni that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas must be mindful of and uphold. The text emphasises that Buddhist disciples must strive to recite and practice at all times, as doing so can eradicate karmic obstacles and lead to purity and peace. Emperor Qianlong, a devout Buddhist, commissioned this jade album as an expression of his commitment to moral refinement and self-cultivation.
Historical records from the Qing court’s ceramics list indicate that in the 8th year of the Tongzhi reign, and again in the 8th month of 18th year of the Guangxu reign, a jade ‘Sutra on the Eight Realisations of Great Beings’ album was housed in the Yingtai Palace. It is highly plausible that the present jade album corresponds to the one documented in these historical records.
An imperial paper handscroll dated to the 11th year of the Qianlong reign, containing the same text as the present album, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, and is illustrated in Gugongwupin dianchabaogao, vol.4, Beijing, 2004, p.358 (fig. 1). Additionally, a paper album written by Qianlong in his 26th year is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection number: gushu 001086. A related Qianlong-period imperial jade sutra book, with sandalwood lotus scroll covers, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 April 2004, lot 988, and again at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2007, lot 1332.
Emperor Qianlong had a particular affinity for jades, believing that while paper might last a thousand years, jade would endure forever. He commissioned important ancient calligraphy and paintings – including masterpieces by renowned artists and Buddhist scriptures - to be incised onto jades. These were then compiled into albums for future generations.
The Sutra on the Eight Realisations of Great Beings, translated by An Shigao during the Eastern Han dynasty, expounds the eight principles proclaimed by Sakyamuni that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas must be mindful of and uphold. The text emphasises that Buddhist disciples must strive to recite and practice at all times, as doing so can eradicate karmic obstacles and lead to purity and peace. Emperor Qianlong, a devout Buddhist, commissioned this jade album as an expression of his commitment to moral refinement and self-cultivation.
Historical records from the Qing court’s ceramics list indicate that in the 8th year of the Tongzhi reign, and again in the 8th month of 18th year of the Guangxu reign, a jade ‘Sutra on the Eight Realisations of Great Beings’ album was housed in the Yingtai Palace. It is highly plausible that the present jade album corresponds to the one documented in these historical records.
An imperial paper handscroll dated to the 11th year of the Qianlong reign, containing the same text as the present album, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, and is illustrated in Gugongwupin dianchabaogao, vol.4, Beijing, 2004, p.358 (fig. 1). Additionally, a paper album written by Qianlong in his 26th year is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection number: gushu 001086. A related Qianlong-period imperial jade sutra book, with sandalwood lotus scroll covers, was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 April 2004, lot 988, and again at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2007, lot 1332.