18TH CENTURY

Details

A FINELY CARVED PALE-GREEN AND RUSSET JADE BOULDER
18TH CENTURY
Of irregular shape, crisply carved on one side with two deer on a rocky outcropping below a pavilion at the top, the reverse with a scene of a crane perched in a pine tree looking up at its mate in flight above, the stone of pale greyish-green color with some brown skin and added color used as an accent
6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm.) high, carved zitan stand

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Lot Essay

Deer and cranes symbolize long life as they are both companions of Shoulao, the god of Longevity. In addition, the Chinese word for deer is a homophone with the word for 'emoluments'. The deer and crane can also symbolize a married couple. Taken together with the pine tree, which is an evergreen, they form the rebus helu tongchun, 'may the couple be forever young'.

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