QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

AN INSCRIBED AND GILT-DECORATED LAPIS LAZULI ARCHER'S RING
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The archer's ring is delicately carved with chrysanthemum sprays beside a poem, all highlighted in gilt. One side of the band has a convex surface and the other side has a slightly sloping edge. The stone is of a bright blue tone with greyish-russet inclusions and gold flecks.
1 ¼ in. (3.1 cm.) diam.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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Xichu CC Wang

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Lot Essay

The poem inscribed on this ring is recorded and published in Qing Gaozong Yuzhi Shiwen Quanji, vol. 3, juan 39, The National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1976. Entitled ju for chrysanthemum, it reads:

Yu zhi shi
Zhou shu wei zai you huang hua
hou shi qin xun wu se kua
zi shi wei lun sheng da lu
lan shang ning du ao shuang hua

This may be translated as:

Imperial poem
An early record of the yellow flowers is found in
The Book of Zhou
Later generations gradually begin to praise their five colours
Elaborate beauty arises from simplicity, just as an imperial chariot was once a modest cart
A proud lonesome flower silently braves the frost at the source of the stream

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