Lot 1906. Highly Important Jadeite Bangle. Estimate 40,000,000 — 50,000,000 HKD. Lot sold 43,800,000 HKD (5,647,134 USD). Photo Sotheby's 2014.

The highly translucent oval bangle of emerald green colour, rounded to the outside and flattened to the inside. Inner diameter and thickness approximately 55.45 - 47.30 x 13.41mm. 

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory certificate numbered KJ 83710, dated 6 January 2014, stating that the jadeite is natural, known in the trade as “A jade”.

Bangle of Noble Consort
Bangles were historically worn as armbands for both women and men, gradually transformed into a jewellery piece that is to wrap around a lady’s slender wrist. As a traditional Chinese saying goes, “Heaven is round and the earth is square”, roundness of a circle symbolizes wholeness, completion, and also stands for eternal laws that govern heaven and earth. This explains why jadeite bangles, as a classic form of jadeite jewels, often assume a perfectly round shape. Legend has it that it was in Tang dynasty when jadeite bangle started taking on new shapes and styles, the most distinctive being Guifei(noble consort) bangle, which is oval in shape and often rounded to the outside and flattened to the inside. It was believed that the pioneer behind this ingenious invention was the most beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong from the Tang Dynasty, Yang Yuhuan.

Known for her intriguing beauty, Imperial Consort Yang was a woman of many talents. She excels in dancing and singing, as well as playing pipa. Emperor Xuanzong, who is very fond of music and arts regarded her as his muse, placing her high above other imperial consorts of the same rank. Once the Emperor initiated a concert where both Western and Chinese instruments were to be played. To mark this special occasion, Imperial Consort Yang commissioned the craftsmen to create a special jadeite bangle, which would accentuate her elegance and unrivalled status. Thus, the first exceptional oval jadeite bangle was made and since then, bangles of this particular shape was named Guifei bangle.

Since the centre of jadeite bangles are hollowed out, fashioning this form of jadeite jewellery usually involves high wastage, and to ensure lasting quality, the jadeite boulder must be almost free of cracks and blemishes. A translucent and fine jadeite bangle with considerable thickness as Lot 1906 is extremely hard to come by, while its oval shape posed even greater challenge in the polishing process. Guifei bangle stands as a testament to the fastidious skills and wisdom of craftsmen in China from more than a thousand years ago.

Lot 1906. A Highly Important Jadeite Bangle. Photography by Ernest Yiu.