PROVENANCE: Collection privée française
Galerie Bertrand de Lavergne

NOTE: According to the legend, Zhang Qian was a famous explorer during the Han Dynasty, credited with the discovery of the source of the Yellow River. For the return journey, he built a log boat from a tree trunk.

The present bottle has all characteristics of the second phase of Suzhou school with most of the whiter material used for the main subject. It is deeply and masterly carved with an impressive three dimensional effect, the carving going under the foot as well showing the high standard of this bottle.

For two other examples of black and white Suzhou bottles with the same subject, see Moss, Graham, Tsang in A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Jade, no. 128; and A Congregation of Snuff Bottles Connoisseurs, no. 137 (from the collection of Hedda and Franz Lutz).

Similar bottles have been sold at Christie's New York, 29 mars 2006, lot 24, and 22 mars 2007, lot 42

Suzhou black and white jades are discussed by R. Kleiner, Treasures from the Sanctum of Enlightened Respect: Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Collection of Denis Low, nos. 42-44; H. White, Snuff Bottles from China, The Victoria and Albert Museum, pl. 3; Moss, Graham, Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, vol. 1, Jade, no. 126-131

Sotheby's. Asian Art11 Jun 09. Paris www.sothebys.com