Lot 3303
  • 3303

AN AMBER 'LOTUS' WASHER QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |

Estimate
150,000 - 200,000 HKD
bidding is closed

Description

  • 10.5 cm, 4 1/8  in.
carved in the form of a furled leaf with a small duck, a frog, an insect and crustaceans perched on the exterior, the leaf borne on coiling stems issuing lotus buds and a maturing bloom on the side, the amber of a rich honey-brown tone

Provenance

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 17th May 1989, lot 388.

Condition

Overall good condition with minor nicks to fragile extremities.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Carved in the form of a furled lotus leaf flanked by high-relief motifs, the washer continues in the naturalistic carving style of the Ming dynasty, which is also reflected in jade and rhinoceros horn carvings. The lotus blossom, crab and duck on the side convey purity, harmony and fidelity. See a lotus-form amber washer, also attributed to the Kangxi period, in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, accession no. 1998.042.116. Compare also similarly carved vessels fashioned from other organic materials, such as a rhinoceros horn cup, attributed to the 17th/18th century, sold at Christie’s London, 7th December 1984, lot 152; and a celadon jade washer in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Gugong bowuyuan wenwu cangpin daxi. Yuqi juan/Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, vol. 10: Qing, Beijing, 2011, pl. 195.