A LARGE CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘LONGEVITY’ MOUNTAIN QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the boulder carved in the form of monumental pierced rocks, the front face with Shoulao holding a staff and a peach in his hands, standing between a young acolyte with lingzhi and a deer, all beside a gnarled peach tree with a pair of bats in flight above, the stone of a greyish celadon tone with russet-brown inclusions

An Italian Private Collection.
Sotheby's Milan, 19th October 2010, lot 45.

The mountain is in very good condition. It should be noted that the stone is of a slightly more celadon tone than the cataologue illustration would suggest.
"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."

The present piece has been carved from an exceptionally large jade boulder, from which the craftsman has cleverly fashioned a mountain carving that follows its shape to ensure minimal wastage of the precious stone. The carving is full of auspicious symbolism through the depiction of Shoulao, the Daoist God of Longevity, who is one of the most popular gods due to his ability to extend one’s life. He is depicted with his emblems of longevity: the peach and deer. The pair of bats (fu) flying above the rockwork together with the peaches form the pun ‘May you possess both blessings and longevity’ (fushou shuangquan).

 

Jade mountain carvings depicting Shoulao are known in smaller sizes and a variety of forms; see two sold in our London rooms, the first , 7^th November 2012, lot 478, the second, depicting the immortal followed by two attendants, 4^th November 2009, lot 138; another from the collection of the Honorable Judge Edgar Bromberger, sold in our New York rooms, 12^th September 2012, lot 308; and a fourth example from the collection of Gerald Godfrey, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30^th October 1995, lot 815.