19TH CENTURY

Details

**A PAIR OF JADE AND HARDSTONE PEONY PLANTS IN JARDINIERES
19TH CENTURY
Each plant formed by a silk thread-wrapped wire stem bearing buds and blossoms carved from white and green jade, as well as amethyst and pink tourmaline or rose quartz, each petal cut separately and joined by wire thread to enamelled copper buds with finely detailed leaves, with butterflies formed from jade, jadeite, coral, wire thread and pearls dispersed amidst the branches, all surrounded by semi-transparent spinach jade leaves, all rising from a dark spinach-green jade octagonal jardinière carved with lotus panels dividing loose-ring and flower-head handles
20½ in. (51.8 cm.) high (2)

Provenance

The Collection of William Boyce Thompson; Christie's, New York, 3 June 1993, lot 75.

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

Jade and hardstone 'potted plants' and 'miniature gardens' were used as decoration throughout the palaces of the Forbidden City, especially on festival days. See Wan Yi, et al., Daily Life in the Forbidden City, New York, 1988, where 'potted plants' or 'garden landscapes' of all kinds are illustrated, one singly, the others within the context of the richly appointed palaces and halls: pls. 201, 214, 215, 219, 222 and 376. Other 'potted landscapes' were included in the exhibition, Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court, Art Gallery, The Chinese Univeristy of Hong Kong, 1987, nos. 58-61.

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