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Lot Essay
The present lot is comprised of four inscribed rectangular jade plaques of translucent celadon-white colour mounted in yellow silk between carved and inscribed zitan covers.
Jiede Tang (Hall of Self-Discipline and Attainment) was constructed in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign (1780) at the Chengde Mountain Resort, serving as Emperor Qianlong’s personal study. The term ‘jiede’ originated from Confucius’s advice to guard against external desires at three stages of life- in youth, physical powers are not yet settled, so one must guard against lust; in mid-life, when physical powers are vigorous, one must guard against quarrelsomeness; in later stage, when physical powers have declined, one must guard against greed. Emperor Qianlong’s grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, has a seal that reads jie zhi zai de (to guard against covetousness), which also originates from the same Confucius philosophy. The name of this hall reflects the Emperor Qianlong’s respect for the his grandfather advice and serves as a reminder of those principles for himself and his successors.
Emperor Qianlong had a particular affinity for jade, believing that while paper might last a thousand years, jade would endure forever. He commissioned important calligraphy and ancient paintings to be incised onto jade, including significant works by great masters, Buddhist scriptures, and writings. These were then compiled into albums to be passed on to future generations. A kesi handscroll containing the same text as present lot, accompanied with its postscript, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, collection number: gu00072790.
The present lot is very likely referenced in the Qinggong Neiwufu Zaobanchu Huoji Dang (‘Qing Palace Household Department Workshop Crafts Archives’) on two occasions. First, on the 20th day of the 11th month in the 47th year of the Qianlong reign, it was noted that a jade album was sent to Suzhou for gilding the texts and for the creation of the zitan covers. Second, on the 1st day of the 5th month in the 48th year, the jade album with its covers was sent to the Maoqin dian (Hall of Merit and Diligence) for inscription and labeling, and subsequently transferred to the Chengde Mountain Resort.
Jiede Tang (Hall of Self-Discipline and Attainment) was constructed in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign (1780) at the Chengde Mountain Resort, serving as Emperor Qianlong’s personal study. The term ‘jiede’ originated from Confucius’s advice to guard against external desires at three stages of life- in youth, physical powers are not yet settled, so one must guard against lust; in mid-life, when physical powers are vigorous, one must guard against quarrelsomeness; in later stage, when physical powers have declined, one must guard against greed. Emperor Qianlong’s grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, has a seal that reads jie zhi zai de (to guard against covetousness), which also originates from the same Confucius philosophy. The name of this hall reflects the Emperor Qianlong’s respect for the his grandfather advice and serves as a reminder of those principles for himself and his successors.
Emperor Qianlong had a particular affinity for jade, believing that while paper might last a thousand years, jade would endure forever. He commissioned important calligraphy and ancient paintings to be incised onto jade, including significant works by great masters, Buddhist scriptures, and writings. These were then compiled into albums to be passed on to future generations. A kesi handscroll containing the same text as present lot, accompanied with its postscript, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, collection number: gu00072790.
The present lot is very likely referenced in the Qinggong Neiwufu Zaobanchu Huoji Dang (‘Qing Palace Household Department Workshop Crafts Archives’) on two occasions. First, on the 20th day of the 11th month in the 47th year of the Qianlong reign, it was noted that a jade album was sent to Suzhou for gilding the texts and for the creation of the zitan covers. Second, on the 1st day of the 5th month in the 48th year, the jade album with its covers was sent to the Maoqin dian (Hall of Merit and Diligence) for inscription and labeling, and subsequently transferred to the Chengde Mountain Resort.