A pale green and russet jade 'Five Poisons' vessel and cover, Ming dynasty

拍品描述

Chinese Jades from the Ralph Wanger Collection (2) Length 3⅛ in., 8 cm The present lot is particularly notable for its charming depiction of the Five Poisons (wudu), a motif closely associated with the ancient customs of the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu), celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Traditionally regarded as a season when oppressive heat and humidity encouraged the spread of disease and venomous creatures, the festival gave rise to a range of protective practices intended to ward off evil and illness. Images of the five poisonous creatures: snake, scorpion, toad, centipede, and gecko (or lizard), were employed as powerful apotropaic symbols, often accompanied by auspicious herbs such as mugwort and calamus, believed to possess protective and purifying properties.

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