A SUPERB WHITE JADE 'FOUR GENTLEMEN' BRUSHPOT QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of slightly flaring rectangular section with indented corners, supported on small splayed bracket feet, well hollowed and finely decorated on each side with one of the 'Four Gentlemen among Flowers' (si junzhi), a branch of chrysanthemum, a spray of orchids, two shoots of bamboo, and a gnarled flowering prunus tree, each skilfully carved in a painterly style within recessed panels, the flawless stone of even milky-white colour finished to a smooth polish, hardwood stand inlaid with silver key-fret

Collection of George de Menasce.
Spink & Son, London.

The George de Menasce Collection, Spink & Son, London, 1971, no. 304.           

This exceptionally white stone has almost no flaws with only a faint ribbon of inclusion on one corner. The actual colour is quite close to the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This brushpot is notable for the refined workmanship and clarity of the white stone that provides a pristine canvas on which to portray the flowers of the 'Four Gentlemen': the prunus, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo. They represented the four virtues of a gentleman as these plants possessed the natural character of human virtues: loftiness, righteousness, modesty and purity. The subject, particularly popular with the Qianlong Emperor who saw it adorn a variety of wares in different media, emerged in painting during the Song period to symbolise the four unfolding seasons of the year. The subtle low relief carving draws attention to the high quality of the stone and its luminosity while the flat planes and the style that the flowers have been rendered are reminiscent of ink paintings.

Jade brushpots of this square form are less common than their cylindrical counterparts; compare two square-section white jade examples, but of broader proportions and depicting figures in landscapes in high relief, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch’ing Court, Taipei, 1997, cat. nos. 59 and 61; a spinach green brushpot carved with landscape scenes in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages. Qing Dynasty, vol. 12, Hong Kong, 1997, pl. 85; and another white jade example decorated with the design of the 'Four Noble Professions', from the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28^th November 2006, lot 1362. For a brushpot of similar slender form, see one sold in our New York rooms, 28^th/29^th September 1989, lot 425.