Christie’s presents superb jade carvings from an important European collection on September 15

NEW YORK, N.Y.- Christie’s presents Superb Jade Carvings from an Important European Collection, a sale of 36 lustrous jades from the collection of a European connoisseur on September 15 at 2 pm. This exceptional group was formed over the past fifty years and focuses on outstanding examples exhibiting stone of high quality, fine carving, and the decorative themes appreciated by the Chinese scholarly elite.

Leading the sale is a very rare white jade archaistic vase and cover, Qianlong/Jiaqing period (1736-1820) (estimate: $750,000-1,000,000). This outstanding vase is carved from fine stone of even white tone and exhibits an unusual shape, as well as a bold combination of low and high relief carving. Another highlight is a large pale greenish-white jade circular ‘double happiness’ box and cover, Qianlong/Jiaqing period (1736-1820) (estimate: $100,000-150,000), replete with auspicious images including four butterflies, suggesting it was possibly intended as a wedding gift. Also included is a large greyish-green jade figure of a buffalo, 17th /18th century, (estimate: $80,000-100,000Highly prized in traditional, the buffalo is associated with strength, prosperity and tranquility.

Additional highlights include:

*A Superb and Very Rare Pale Greenish-White Jade Table Screen 18th century, Estimate: $350,000 – 550,000

The jade table screen is an exceptional example of its type, demonstrating superb quality of carving and a very rare choice of subject matter. The screen depicts a foreign ship, influenced by European or Middle-Eastern design, sailing amidst crashing waves, with figures tending the sales. Illustrated on the other side of the screen is a procession of tribute bearers making their way along a mountainous path, with several bearing fine gifts.

*A Rare Yellow Jade Archaistic Pouring Vessel and Cover, Gong 18th /19th century, Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000

This rare work takes its inspiration from a gong, a ritual bronze wine vessel from China’s Bronze Age. The bronze gong is one of the wine vessel types that appeared during the Anyang period of the Shang dynasty. These ritual wine vessels were often cast with fascinating zoomorphic imagery. However, the body of this gong has been left undecorated to highlight the soft, lustrous quality of the yellow stone.

*A Very Rare and Finely Carved White and Russet Jade Animal-form Water Pot Qianlong period (1736-1795) Estimate: $120,000-180,000

This mythological animal bixie, meaning ‘avoid evil’, is finely carved in an archaistic style with a snarling expression. The details are enhanced with finely incised hair markings, floppy curved ears on a stone of soft, lustrous white tone with satiny polish and some added pale russet highlights.

*A Rare Large White and Russet Jade Rhyton Qianlong period (1736-1795) Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000

This semi-translucent jade is based on a rhyton, which first appeared in China around the 6th or 7th century. This archaistic example is not an exact copy of an original, but rather shows the Qing reinterpretation of the striking form.

*A Rare Imperial Pale Greenish-White Jade Parfumier Qianlong period (1736-1795) Estimate: $70,000 – 90,000

This imperial parfumier is carved with continuous scene of a pine and bamboo growing amidst rocks accompanied by a finely incised poem composed by the Qianlong Emperor.

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4. Fine Chinese ceramics and works of art for Sale in two sessions at Sotheby’s this September
5. Rare Screens Believed to be from Chinese Imperial Palace for Sale at Bonhams