A rare white jade 'Immortals' table screen, 18th-19th century
Lot 109. A rare white jade 'Immortals' table screen, 18th-19th century. Estimate HK$150,000 - 170,000 (US$19,000 - 22,000). Sold for HK$ 212,500 (€24,384). Photo: Bonhams.
Crisply carved with a mountain landscape of rockwork, pine trees, foliage and a hidden waterfall, featuring Immortals, five of them playing music on a balustraded stone platform, the remaining three engaged in discussion and exchanging gifts at the bottom of the steps, the semi-translucent stone of a white tone, wood stand. 23.4cm (9 1/4in) high x 16.8cm (6 5/8in) wide (2).
Provenance: An English private collection
Note: This rectangular white jade panel was used by the master carver as a 'canvas' on which to carve the image, which most likely derived from a woodblock print; see for example a woodblock print of the Lan Tai in Fang Shi Mopu, originally published in the 16th century, reproduced by J.Rawson, Chinese Jade: From the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p.404, fig.1. Compare also a similar jade rectangular table screen, 18th century, but in mirror image, in the British Museum, London, illustrated by J.Rawson, ibid., pl.29:17.
The auspicious subject matter, showing the Eight Daoist Immortals, would have been suitable for a birthday celebration gift.
A related white jade circular table screen, Qianlong/Jiaqing, was sold in our London rooms, 11 November 2010, lot 54.
A rare Imperial white jade circular table screen, Qianlong-Jiaqing period. Sold for £96,000 (€109,333) at Bonhams London, 11 November 2010, lot 54. Photo: Bonhams