A RARE CARVED WHITE JADE BOTTLE WITH ORIGINAL STOPPER

IMPERIAL, PROBABLY PALACE WORKSHOPS, BEIJING, 1720-1800

細節

A RARE CARVED WHITE JADE BOTTLE WITH ORIGINAL STOPPER
Imperial, probably Palace Workshops, Beijing, 1720-1800
Of flattened ovoid form, the front and back carved in low relief with oval panels of archaic script, the narrow sides carved in high relief with two sinuous clambering chilong, one with a feline's head, the other with a dragon's head, the stone of even soft white tone, original stopper carved as a coiled chilong
2¼in. (5.9cm.) high

來源

Hilda Somers Collection, acquired prior to 1952.

拍品專文

The inscription is executed in the second oldest Chinese calligraphic style (second only to oracle script) which was popular around 1000 BC to 700 BC. In later times, the script was principly employed for decorative purposes due to its linear beauty.

The chilong decorating the narrow sides, combined with the third dragon on the original stopper, strongly suggest a Palace origin for this unique bottle.