Lot 59. A rare white and russet jade cup, Liao Dynasty, 8.5cm (3 1/4in) wide. Estimate HK$120,000 - 150,000 (US$15,000 - 19,000). Sold for HK$ 1,980,000 (€227,254). Photo: Bonhams.
The exquisitely carved thinly-walled cup of oval form supported on an oval foot, the sides with two raised lobes with a stylised dragon handle to one side, the lustrous and translucent stone of milky-white tone suffused with attractive russet inclusions.
Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong in 2008
The Songzhutang collection, no.76
Published and Illustrated: T.Fok, The Splendour of Jade: The Songzhutang Collection of Jade, Hong Kong, 2011, pl.76
Note: The present lot demonstrates the technical virtuosity accomplished by the master carver, superbly utlising the lustrous white and russet jade stone.
This type of vessel appears to be a continuation from the Tang dynasty, as demonstrated in the pale green jade cup with a single handle, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 5 Tang, Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Beijing, 2011, p.23, pl.2, which in turn are related to the Han dyansty ear cups, produced in jade, lacquer, glass and bronze; see Art and Imitation in China, Hong Kong, 2006, pls.99-102.
Bonhams. THE SONGZHUTANG COLLECTION OF EARLY JADES, from the Neolithic Period to the Yuan Dynasty, 30 May 2017, 14:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY