Bonhams 1793 : A fine white jade 'vase, deer and waves' group and cover 18th century

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8 Nov 2012 10:00 GMT London, New Bond Street
Fine Chinese Art
Back to auction 20024

A fine white jade 'vase, deer and waves' group and cover

18th century
Of mountain shape, deftly carved in various relief as a compressed flattened hu vase with S-scroll handles rising from elaborate swirling waves, flanked by a deer and a crane among a gnarled pine tree and lingzhi fungus, the crane turning its head to the left to hold a peach spray in its beak, all supported on a rocky plinth, the stone of even white tone, wood stand.
28.8cm (11 1/3in) wide (3).

Sold for £85,250 inc. premium

Footnotes

Provenance: Jade House, Hong Kong, purchased on 30 January 1963
A Canadian private collection

Exhibited: Royal Ontario Museum, Prized Possessions from Private Homes: An Exhibition, Canada, 8 October - 8 December 1968, no.1172

十八世紀白玉雕鶴鹿紋連蓋瓶

來源: 於1963年1月30日購自香港Jade House
加拿大私人收藏

展覽: 於1968年10月8日至12月8日皇家安大略博物館Prized Possessions from Private Homes: An Exhibition展出，並著錄於圖錄編號1172

The choice of motifs on this piece suggests a two-fold purpose: firstly, the vase is a symbol for peace and the deer, lingzhi fungus and crane represent the wish for long life or immortality. In addition, the crane and deer are also symbols of high rank: the crane is the 'bird of first rank' 一品鳥 yipin niao and the deer 鹿 lu is a pun for emolument or official salary 祿 lu. The vase therefore forms an expression not only for a long and peaceful life, but for a wealthy and successful one.

Compare an example of a yellow jade vase joined with a smaller vase and animals in the collection of the Palace Museum, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 10 Qing Dynasty, Beijing and Hefei, 2011, pl.30.