A CHINESE JADEITE "PINE" WASHER BIXI, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

拍品描述

A CHINESE JADEITE "PINE" WASHER BIXI, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) Of shallow oval form, this jadeite washer is carved as a small bixi, or scholar’s water vessel, the broad recessed well framed by an irregular rocky rim. The stone is strikingly variegated, with passages of bright emerald green, paler celadon, cloudy white and darker moss-like inclusions, giving the surface a natural, landscape-like depth. The form is low and compact, intended for use on the scholar’s table. The rim is carved in openwork with pine branches and clustered pine needles, the decoration worked around the sides so that the natural markings of the jadeite become part of the composition. The rounded well is left comparatively plain, allowing the colour and texture of the stone to dominate, while the surrounding carving provides movement and definition. The pine is one of the most enduring motifs in Chinese art, admired for its evergreen nature and its association with longevity, steadfastness and moral resilience. Within the context of a scholar’s object, the motif would have carried especially cultivated meaning, suggesting endurance, purity of character and retreat into the natural world. Bixi washers formed part of the scholar’s desk assemblage, used to hold water for ink preparation or brush washing. In jadeite, such an object combines function with display, its practical purpose elevated by the rarity and visual richness of the material. A finely decorative Qing dynasty scholar’s object, this washer is distinguished by its vivid jadeite colouring, naturalistic pine carving and pleasingly compact form. Length: 11cm

图片