天然軟玉鈕扣套裝, 晚清

• 共21個不同造型的天然軟玉鈕扣
• 圖片只顯示其中11枚

Colour and Clarity: Based on random testing, two buttons are certified. According to the Jadeite Jade Testing Certificates, the carved buttons are natural, Nephrite Jade. Please refer to the certificates for details. In our opinion, all buttons are translucent, except one, all of cream white to very light celadon tone. The last one is of medium yellowish green with a few black inclusions. Upon strong illumination, there are cloud inclusions and a few buttons may have tiny nicks or chips on edges, not noticeable. Condition: These carved nephrites are dated back to late Qing period, probably used as buttons, decorations on traditional costume. Surface abrasions, commensurate with its age and use, overall in good condition. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that jadeite and rubies of Burmese origin and articles of jewellery containing jadeite or rubies of Burmese origin all less than 100 years old may not be imported into the US. The purchaser's inability to import any item into the U.S. or any other country as a result of these or other restrictions shall not justify cancellation or rescission of the sale or any delay in payment. Please check with the specialist department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these import restrictions, or any other restrictions on importation or exportation.
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. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

• 附兩張香港玉石鑑定中心證書（編號SJ 99336及SJ 99338，日期2014年8月6日）• 天然軟玉

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精緻的軟玉飾品

中國是最早開採及利用天然玉石的國家之一，當中「玉」又可分為軟玉及硬玉﹙現今的翡翠﹚兩種，而從歷代的玉器看來，所用的玉石主要為軟玉，至今已有三千多年的歷史。

軟玉又稱真玉，在中國主要的產地為新疆南部的和田玉龍喀什河、喀拉喀什河，以及葉爾羌河上游的崑崙山上。常見的顏色有白、綠、黃和黑等等，大多數透明度都不高，擁有玻璃、蠟狀及油脂的光澤，質地細膩，結構堅韌，被視為雕刻的上佳材料。

中國歷代的軟玉製品當中，除了比較大型的禮儀祭祀器皿及陳設擺件以外，亦不乏精緻小巧的佩飾。這些體積較小的工藝品多以大自然為題，精妙地刻畫鳥語花香、蟲鳴唧唧啾啾的美景，或代表各種吉祥寓意的圖案；鏤空雕花的技巧在軟玉飾品上亦十分常見，用於潤厚的材料上層次感更見分明，亦能反映了工匠別出心栽的創意。

在此類雕件的實際運用方面亦見古人之心思：步搖、髮簪和髮釵﹙圖一﹚上的軟玉花件配以紐金邊及各色寶石，其溫潤的顏色能突顯佩帶者肌膚的嫩白；刻有字詞的玉佩配以傳統繩結繡花，繫於腰間，又或者用以裝飾寬腰帶，代表主人尊貴的身份地位及官階；還有鑲在貴族佩劍上的玉劍飾、龍鈎、香囊和鑲在小盒子蓋上的軟玉嵌飾﹙圖二﹚，各有特色，反映出軟玉在中國文化、政治、禮儀和藝術等多個領域的重要性。