Material Nephrite jade
Dimensions 16.5 cm
Place of Creation China
Price Price available upon request
Status Vetted

About the Work

Very finely carved group in two-tone nephrite jade, representing a boy in white jade kneeling on a lotus seed pod, holding a lidded box (he) from which swirling clouds rise, supporting a yin-yang symbol with a splash of russet skin on top, in front of him one large and two smaller curved lotus leaves in brown jade.


The present group most likely functioned as a water vessel for the scholar’s table, the large curved lotus leaf forming the water basin from which water could be transferred onto the inkstone. Thematically, visual elements in the group refer to purity (the lotus), harmony (the word he for box being a homonym for the word for harmony as well as the word for lotus) and the Daoist concept of universal balance in the unity of opposites (yin-yang).


The carving is of rare quality for its delicate, refined execution, primarily regarding the hair and facial features of the boy as well as the openworked areas. Of equally high quality are the aesthetically balanced proportions of the group and the inventiveness of the design; the latter above all reflected by the artistry and finesse with which the contrast in the two-colour jade has been utilised by the artist.

Show moreless

Provenance

Purchased from John Sparks, 19th of January 1955, copy of the invoice available;
English private collection, acquired from the above

View artwork at TEFAF Maastricht 2025

View Full Floorplan