A PALE CELADON JADE CRAB

QING DYNASTY

Details

A PALE CELADON JADE CRAB
qing dynasty
Naturalistically carved with its legs evenly folded on either side of its body, supported on a spray of leafy water reeds and holding the tip of one leaf to its mouth with both pincers, the stone of even tone with some areas of well-used russet skin and natural flaws, some minute chips
5½in. (14cm.) wide

Lot Essay

A very similar "crab and corn" group was exhibited in the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Chinese Jade Carvings, 1983, Catalogue, no.190, from the Collection of Sze Tak Tang, dated to the 18th Century. The catalogue explains that 'Corn and Crab' and 'Harmony' are both pronounced Hexie, forming a rebus common at this period, similar in punning style to those found on snuff bottles.

More from Chinese

View All