Lot 272. Crafted Jadeite “The Great Sage Returns”, Zhang Bingguang  Estimate：HK$ 1,600,000 – 2,600,000／US$ 205,000 – 335,000. Courtesy Tiancheng International

The jadeite plaque of finely translucent emerald green colour, suffused with soft honey yellow and white patches, carved to the front with the Monkey King Sun Wukong flying over the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, to the back carved with Buddhist peom in Chinese characters '薄雾绕奇峰, 遥望水帘, 广大神通威震三界; 幽林生幻影, 蓦临仙洞, 修成正果大圣归来', symbolising the return of power, signed.

Plaque measuring approximately 74.25 x 29.90 x 16.01mm.

Accompanied by Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory report numbered KJ92565, dated 21 March 2016, stating that the jadeite is natural, known in the trade as 'A Jade'.

THE GREAT SAGE RETURNS
Zhang Bingguang was born in Guangdong province in 1962. His childhood years were spent learning traditional Chinese painting. Subsequently, he came under the apprenticeship of jade carving masters to learn jade ornament design and carving. Over the past five decades, he has diligently sought inspiration from traditional Chinese culture and applied the techniques of the Lingnan painting style, mural painting, lacquer and decorative plaster moulding to his jade carvings. In his works, aesthetic theory and carving practice are harmoniously combined as one.

Zhang's carving talents have found full expression in the Chinese landscape and human figures jadeite plagues he has created. His works show meticulous attention to composition. Even on jadeite pieces as delicate as 1mm in thickness, he is capable of creating a liberating sense of space. Every tree, boulder, platform and pavilion image he carves is rendered with precision and multilayered details. Material, artistic intention and artistry are seamlessly integrated through his compositions to express the natural beauty of jadeite and the ingenuity of craftsmanship. 

His works have received nationwide recognition at prestigious competitions of art and culture, jade carving and Chinese arts and crafts. Zhang has garnered a total of 15 gold awards so far. Tiancheng International is delighted to present two masterpieces by Zhang Bingguang, including the finely crafted jadeite “The Great Sage Returns”, which he spent two years to create, and the icy jadeite “Plum Blossom and Bamboo” pendant. Whether it is a majestically portrayed Monkey King or the inspired depictions of landscape, his works exhibit a marriage of natural jadeite with craftsmanship to convey an artistic expression.