A fine honey and russet jade carving of a phoenix and young, Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century
A fine honey and russet jade carving of a phoenix and young, Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century. Photo: Bonhams.
The smoothly carved bird formed with its head gently inclined over its back towards the curving wings and sweeping tail and holding in its beak a double-floral stem, one strand of the stem also clutched by the young chick at its side, both birds with shallow curving claws finely delineated on the underside, wood stand. 7.6cm (3in) wide (2). Estimate £10,000 - 15,000 (€12,000 - 18,000)
Provenance: Dubois Family Collection
S.Marchant & Son, Ltd., London, Chinese Jade Carvings from Han to Qing, 2005, no.61
An English private collection
The tender image of two birds suggests a number of possible interpretations. As a bird and young group, it is a perenially popular expression of the desire for family succession, which was particularly important in a traditional Confucian society. The birds can also be viewed to represent conjugal bliss, with the intimacy of the birds represented by their sharing a single stem of lotus in their beaks. Furthermore, the phoenix, associated with the Empress, symbolises beauty, the sun, good luck, abundance and longevity.
Compare the similar carving style of a single yellow jade phoenix dated Song-Ming dynasty, 12th-15th century, from the personal collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1565.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 -http://www.bonhams.com/