A RARE AND FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE PLAQUE

18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE AND FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE PLAQUE
18TH CENTURY
Boldly carved in high relief with three chilong clambering about the faceted body in pursuit of a flaming pearl, with two bats flittering amidst clouds in low relief framed by a thin raised border, the whole between ruyi heads at the top and bottom, carved from a fine white stone of even tone with some traces of pale russet color
2¾ in. (7 cm.) high

Provenance

Jade House, 1982.

Exhibited

Chinese Jade: The Image from Within, Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, 1985 - 1986, no. 218.

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Lot Essay

The symbolism found in the present lot is especially auspicious, and would have conveyed numerous wishes for the owner. As bats (fu) represent blessings (shuang), two bats form the rebus shuangfu, or 'May you have double blessings.' In addition, bats flittering amidst clouds (yun), which represent fortune, form the rebus fuyun, or 'May you have good fortune or luck.' The two dragons seen on one side of the plaque also convey an auspicious wish, as two confronted dragons form the rebus xi xiangfeng, or 'happiness at reunion.'

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