Beschreibung:

THIS IS A PREMUIM LOT. ** An Exceptionally Fine Chinese Imperial Jade Brushwasher Qing dynasty the base with a four character Qianlong nian zhi mark in lishu or clerical script and of the period 1736-95, 15cm across, 6.1cm high. The body of a translucent beige-white nephrite with warm brown markings applied to one end. The hexafoil form set on four highly formalised lingzhi-shaped feet, the rim set with two foliate flanges along the longer sides carved in low relief in archaistic style, the two longer sides with elaborate taotie heads, the ears and fang-like protusions in the form of stylized kui dragons, all suspended from rings attached to an upper formalised lingzhi head. Provenance Previously in a private collection in Florida. Catalogue Note For another water vessel of similar form in the Imperial Collection, Beijing, with a closely related design of low relief taotie hanging from a ring and set beneath a remarkably similar rim flange, see Zhongguo yuqi quanji, Jade, Vol. 6, Qing dynasty, p.218, pl.318. Compare the rare four character mark carved in lishu or clerical script with examples from the Palace Museum. Cf. L Yang and E Capon, Translucent World, Chinese Jade from the Forbidden City, no.111. This script style was also commonly used in the addition of Imperial compositions to vessels, mounts and stands under the Qianlong Emperor, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware (III), nos. 75 and 78, where the characters Qianlong are very similarly written on two massive boulder carvings. The use of staining to either enhance natural pebble skin or to simulate pebble material was well established by the Song dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, and particularly during Qianlong's reign, staining appears regularly on a series of nephrite wares, many of which are still in the Imperial Collection, as a standard aesthetic and symbolic option. This is a premium lot. If you wish to bid on this lot, please refer to the sale terms and conditions above.