AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF CELADON-WHITE JADE TABLE SCREENS WITH IMPERIAL POEMS QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

each of rectangular section, one carved on one side with a dramatic mountainous landscape scene depicting an elderly scholar standing under a pine tree and conversing with an acolyte standing on a lower rocky ledge, surrounded by craggy rockwork, maple and wutong trees, the rocky mountains accentuated with a waterfall gushing from a crevice in the rocks, all below ruyi-shaped clouds bordering the upper edge of the screen, the reverse incised and gilt with a poem by the Qianlong Emperor, the other similarly carved on one side with an elderly scholar in contemplation under a prunus tree with an acolyte behind him, surrounded by gnarled pine trees and bamboo shoots with a kiosk behind them, the background picked out with further kiosks set in the craggy mountains, detailed with two cranes in the background below cloud swirls, one crane swooping downwards whilst the other stands near the bamboo shoots, the reverse with an additional poem by the Qianlong Emperor, wood stands

The plaques are both in overall good condition. The one on the left has a few small nicks to the edges and corners and a small chip measuring approx. 1.8 cm to the side. The one on the right similarly has a few small expected nicks to the edges and corners and a shallow chip measuring approx. 0.6 x 1 cm to one side. There are insignificant minute nicks to the relief carving on both plaques as can be expected. The actual colour of the jade is similar 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."

The left screen depicts a scholar standing by the side of a pavilion among craggy mountains, in contemplation in front of a rapid cascade. The subject matter of literati watching a waterfall is an allusion employed by many scholars to represent leisurely life. Cleverly expressing the similarity of the sound of the zither and the stream, the imperial poem echoes the pensive reflection of the scholar amidst nature. Similarly supplemented by the imperial poem, the right screen depicts the story of the Song dynasty hermetic poet Lin Biu, who delighted in growing plum blossoms and keeping cranes, which he referred to as his 'wife' and 'children' respectively.

According to Qing Gaozong Yuzhi Shiwen Quan Ji [Anthology of Imperial Qianlong Poems], these two poems, together with another six, were originally composed based on a set of eight paintings, in the fourth year of the reign (1740). The present pair of table screens was possibly carved according to the paintings and complemented by the same set of poems.

Two comparable white jade screens carved with the same themes, also vertically oriented and accompanied by imperial poems, although with slightly different compositions, are in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch’ing Court, Palace Museum, Taipei, 1997, cat. nos. 62 and 67.