SIGNED XI GANG, SCHOOL OF ZHITING, SUZHOU, 1730-1800

Details

**A FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE PEBBLE-FORM SNUFF BOTTLE
SIGNED XI GANG, SCHOOL OF ZHITING, SUZHOU, 1730-1800
The well-hollowed bottle finely carved in low relief with a continuous scene of a bearded scholar seated on a rock and reading a book while his young male attendant reaches toward an overhanging branch of lingzhi, all below a crane in flight and an incised three-character inscription reading Fang he tu (Releasing the crane), followed by the signature of the artist, the reverse with a pine bough growing from a cliff face below a seven-character inscription in running script, one narrow side with a ten-character inscription in clerical script, both inscriptions describing the scenes, the stone of even greyish-white color with sparse russet markings used to highlight the carving, stopper
2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm.) high

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

This is one of a distinctive group of early Suzhou jade bottles, probably from the earlier part of the Qianlong reign. They have lower relief, softer detailing, and are not as emphatic as their later counterparts.

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