A RARE AND FINE WHITE JADE 'CRANE' GROUP

Details

A RARE AND FINE WHITE JADE 'CRANE' GROUP
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Superbly carved in the round and in openwork, modelled as a crane detailed with overlapping wing feathers and long tail feathers, a branch laden with two large ripe peaches grasped in its mouth, nestling beside its young, similarly carved, both birds are perched with their talons clutched onto a network of branches bearing further peaches, the stone of an even pale celadon tone
8¾ in. (22.2 cm.) wide, stand

Provenance

Messrs Spink and Son Ltd., London

Literature

Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, no.200

Exhibited

Spink and Son Ltd., London, An Exhibition of Fine Jade, December, 1981
Christie's New York, March 13-26, 2001
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, August 2003 - December 2004

Lot Essay

The attention to detail in the carving of this group and clarity of the material is exceptional in view of its unusually large size.

The cranes, peach and lingzhi fungus are all symbols of long life and immortality, because of their association with Daoism, and in particular, with the god of longevity, Shoulao. The crane is also symbolic of wisdom, while a pair of cranes may also constitute a wish for a long marriage.

Cf. another smaller jade group of cranes also from the Hartman Collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1400.

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