Footnotes

十七世紀 灰玉雕麒麟擺件

Provenance 來源:
Sotheby's London, 15 February 1966, lot 247
Hans Goldstein collection and thence by descent

倫敦蘇富比，1966年2月15日，拍品247
Hans Goldstein舊藏，並由家族繼承

Published and Exhibited 出版及展覽:
The Arts Council of Great Britain and The Oriental Ceramic Society, Loan Exhibition of the Animal in Chinese Art, London, 1968, Catalogue no.141 (label)
J.Rawson and J.Ayers, Jade Throughout the Ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, Catalogue no.374 (illustrated) (label)

The powerful yet benevolent carving of the qilin is particularly rare not only for its impressive size and the superb craftsmanship demonstrated in its all round detailed carving, but also for the early depiction of this subject matter, more prevalent in later periods. The colour of the stone and style of the carving indicate an early Qing dynasty dating, although a late Ming date cannot be ruled out.

The qilin represents a number of positive attributes including benevolence, longevity, grandeur, felicity, illustrious offspring and wise administration. It is considered a good omen as it is said to appear only during the reign of a benevolent ruler. However, the particular symbolism represented by the mythical beast carrying books is based on a legend from the life of Confucius, when it was said that neighbours saw a qilin delivering books made of jade at the time of his birth, and has since come to symbolise well-wishing; another auspicious symbolism is conveyed by the pun lin tu yu shu ('May you give birth to an illustrious son').

For several examples of similar subject matter but dated to the 18th century see: from the Palace Museum, Beijing, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, p.114, no.94 (22cm wide); and illustrated by R.Keverne, ed., Jade, London, 1995, p.154, fig.67 (12.7cm wide), where Yang Boda notes that 'Kylin are rarely represented in jade'.

Compare a related pale greenish-white jade carving of a qilin, 17th/18th century (16.5cm wide), sold at Christie's New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1030.

此麒麟體態雄健，造型生動凜冽，以十七世紀玉器的用料和製作水平上而言，均讓人讚歎。此玉色澤和雕刻風格呈現清代早期之風，但也不能排除其為明晚期之作品。

麒麟主太平、長壽，有吉祥和幸福的象徵。據記載，伏羲、舜、孔子等聖人都伴有麒麟出現，並帶來神的指示，最終指引勝利。本玉器雕有「麒麟吐玉書」之圖案，據說孔子誕生之前，有麒麟吐玉書於其家院，故也有「麒麟送子」之說。

其他十八世紀的相關例子，見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系：玉器（下）》，香港，1995年，頁114，編號94（22厘米寬）；也見R.Keverne編，《Jade》，倫敦，1995年，頁154，圖67（12.7厘米寬），楊伯達先生在此書上也曾提過麒麟題材在玉器上非常少見。

另對比一件十七/十八世紀青白玉雕麒麟（16.5厘米寬），拍賣於紐約佳士得，2011年9月15日，拍品1030。