QIANLONG (1736-95)

Details

A FINE CHINESE WHITE JADE DEEP BOWL
QIANLONG (1736-95)
The flaring sides carved on the exterior with a recessed band below the rim containing alternating shou roundels and bats, above five equidistant masks in shallow relief, their ruyi-shaped nose forming the five splayed feet, the underside with two bats amongst cloud scrolls, the interior carved in high relief and incorporating the striation in the stone with a butterfly above a millet spray, the well polished stone of an even pale translucent tone
6 in. (15.2 cm.) diam.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Millet is one of the 'Five Nourishing Grains' - sorghum, two different types of millet, wheat, and beans. Millet is especially associated with prosperity and fertility, as well as the sustaining of life. It is one of the Twelve Symbols of the Emperor. The millet therefore represents a wish for prosperity and fertility, while the butterfly (pronounced as die) provides a rebus for 'to duplicate'.

A related jade bowl sold, Christie's, Hong Kong, 7 July 2003, lot 558. It is similarly carved with four ruyi-shaped feet but decorated with a sprig of wannianqing and lingzhi in the interior; and another similarly proportioned jade bowl sold Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 21 May 1984, lot 233.

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