AN INSCRIBED JADE PEBBLE

細節

AN INSCRIBED JADE PEBBLE
JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)

The irregular flattened boulder finely incised and gilded on one side with the 'Lanting Pavilion' scene detailed with scholars in various pursuits, seated and standing beside a stream, gathered around tables, the reverse inscribed with a short poem entitled Weiyu Shushi Shi, 'A poem from the Studio of Superfluous Taste', the stone with natural russet inclusions
6 in. (15.2 cm.) across, wood stand, box

拍品專文

The imagery of numerous scholars gathering together to enjoy the pleasures of drinking and poetry composition originated from the famous preface by Wang Xizhi (A.D. 307-365) bearing the title Lanting Xu, 'Preface (written) at the Orchid Pavilion'. This ideal prevailed throughout Chinese history to become a widespread theme that manifested in paintings and works of art. The inscription on the present boulder is a poetic summary of the visual scene on its reverse side. In textual references, Weiyu Shushi or 'The Studio of Superfluous Taste', was Emperor Jiaqing's studio name. Compare a white jade paperweight also inscribed with Weiyu Shushi Shi, in the Palace Museum collection, Beijing, illustrated in Yuqi, Hong Kong Commercial Press, 1995, no. 171.