AN IMPERIAL WHITE JADE BOX AND COVER CONTAINING AN IMPERIAL MINIATURE HANDSCROLL

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

Details

AN IMPERIAL WHITE JADE BOX AND COVER CONTAINING AN IMPERIAL MINIATURE HANDSCROLL
QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

The Qianlong-period box and cover of oval cross-section, carved as a recumbent mythical beast, the cover forming the upper part of the body, detailed with a bovine-form head, the pointed ears divided by a single horn curling to its back, eyes inset with spinel, the concave interior well-hollowed as with the interior of the box, the exterior mouth rim of the box carved in shallow relief with a band of C-scrolls, supported on a base formed by four well-defined legs tucked neatly under the body; the miniature handscroll executed with ink and colour on paper, the exterior with a label entitled, Yubi Lanhua, 'Orchids Written by the Imperial Hand', opening to reveal a three-character preface, Qi Su Xin, 'Transferring a heart of purity', before the title Luwan Qiucong, 'Abundance in the open fields of Autumn', painted with two clusters of orchids ending with the phrase Daoguang Xinsi qiure yubi, 'Written by the Daoguang Emperor in the Autumn month of Xinsi year' (1821)
2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) wide, the box (2)

Literature

Christie's Review of the Season, 1988, p. 388

Lot Essay

Previously sold in these Rooms, 19 January 1988, lot 533.

The present box and its miniature content were made for treasure boxes as part of the Emperor's play things.

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