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Lot Essay
The flattened circular body is carved in lower relief on each side with a central taotie mask flanked by four archaistic dragons against a leiwen ground, framed by keyfret borders at the shoulder and foot. The base is inscribed with two characters Jingzhai (The Reverent Studio). The translucent stone is of an even and brilliant emerald green colour.
Jingzhai is the studio name of a prominent Qing general and court official Fu Kang'an (1754-1796) (fig. 1). Son of Grand Secretary Fuheng, nephew of Empress Xiaoxianchun and distinguished by his remarkable military achievements, Fu Kang’an was deeply favoured by the Qianlong Emperor, rising to Viceroy of Yun-Gui (Yunnan and Guizhou) and posthumously titled Prince Jiayong. His governorship in Yunnan granted him direct access to superior Burmese jadeite. While imperial jadeite snuff bottles are exceedingly rare and predominantly plain, Fu Kang’an’s status and aesthetic pursuits are fully manifested in this exceptionally carved, luscious emerald-green masterpiece. The present lot is a poignant physical testament to the opulent lifestyle of the Qing aristocracy, as exemplified by the portrait of Daoguang emperor, holding a jadeite snuff bottle in his hand (fig. 2).
Jadeite of such exceptional quality as that seen in the present lot was exceedingly rare and seldom reserved for snuff bottles. Jadeite of comparable material standard was more typically reserved for imperial vessels; see, for example, a Qianlong-marked jadeite cup with dragon handles and matching stand in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, collection no.: gu00009619 (fig. 3). Compare a jadeite snuff bottle carved with archaistic lion mask handles, held in the collection of the Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no. guyu004368N (fig. 4). Compare another closely related emerald-green and lavender jadeite snuff bottle made by the Qing Palace Workshops, exquisitely carved with bamboo and composite flowers, formerly in the Meriem Collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 19 March 2008, lot 246 (fig. 5).
A gemological certificate from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory Limited confirms the present lot is natural green jadeite.
Please note, these lots, contain a type of Dalbergia wood that is subject to CITES export/import restrictions. However, as each lot (or each individual item in the lot) the weight of this type of Dalbergia does not exceed 10 kg, starting from 1 May 2021, CITES license is no longer required for importing the lot (or the individual item in the lot) into Hong Kong. Before you decide to bid, please check whether your destination country permits import without CITES license. If CITES license is required, we will make the lot available for your collection in Hong Kong. We will not cancel your purchase due to any CITES restrictions impacting the import of the lot to the destination country.
Jingzhai is the studio name of a prominent Qing general and court official Fu Kang'an (1754-1796) (fig. 1). Son of Grand Secretary Fuheng, nephew of Empress Xiaoxianchun and distinguished by his remarkable military achievements, Fu Kang’an was deeply favoured by the Qianlong Emperor, rising to Viceroy of Yun-Gui (Yunnan and Guizhou) and posthumously titled Prince Jiayong. His governorship in Yunnan granted him direct access to superior Burmese jadeite. While imperial jadeite snuff bottles are exceedingly rare and predominantly plain, Fu Kang’an’s status and aesthetic pursuits are fully manifested in this exceptionally carved, luscious emerald-green masterpiece. The present lot is a poignant physical testament to the opulent lifestyle of the Qing aristocracy, as exemplified by the portrait of Daoguang emperor, holding a jadeite snuff bottle in his hand (fig. 2).
Jadeite of such exceptional quality as that seen in the present lot was exceedingly rare and seldom reserved for snuff bottles. Jadeite of comparable material standard was more typically reserved for imperial vessels; see, for example, a Qianlong-marked jadeite cup with dragon handles and matching stand in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, collection no.: gu00009619 (fig. 3). Compare a jadeite snuff bottle carved with archaistic lion mask handles, held in the collection of the Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no. guyu004368N (fig. 4). Compare another closely related emerald-green and lavender jadeite snuff bottle made by the Qing Palace Workshops, exquisitely carved with bamboo and composite flowers, formerly in the Meriem Collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 19 March 2008, lot 246 (fig. 5).
A gemological certificate from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory Limited confirms the present lot is natural green jadeite.
Please note, these lots, contain a type of Dalbergia wood that is subject to CITES export/import restrictions. However, as each lot (or each individual item in the lot) the weight of this type of Dalbergia does not exceed 10 kg, starting from 1 May 2021, CITES license is no longer required for importing the lot (or the individual item in the lot) into Hong Kong. Before you decide to bid, please check whether your destination country permits import without CITES license. If CITES license is required, we will make the lot available for your collection in Hong Kong. We will not cancel your purchase due to any CITES restrictions impacting the import of the lot to the destination country.