For your consideration is an important Chinese jade lotus pond or "Spring Water" carving from the Ming Dynasty. The jade plaque displays masterful carving that not only showcases a 3-dimensional intricate carving but also is a classically referenced design. Depicted in the carving is a goose in flight amongst lotus, lingzhi and orchid-like flowers. Jade is cold to the prolonged touch. The plaque is housed in an oval-shaped hinged metal box that is beautifully enameled floral decorations that even extend to the interior of the box. The box measures 3 7/8" in length, 1 5/8" in width an is 2 1/8" in height. The jade plaque alone measures 3 5/8" in length, slightly less than 1 5/8" in width and is about 1/2" in height - this later measurement enabling the carver to carve in layers and with a high degree of detail. The box, with jade plaque, weighs 8 ounces.

The motif of the present plaque originated from the annual goose hunt in the Spring conducted by the Khitan in the Liao dynasty and the Jurchens in the Jin dynasty. Jade plaques from the Liao and Jin periods however, usually also have a falcon used by hunters. Later examples from the Yuan/Ming period, such as the present lot, tend not to have a falcon. See a similar jade plaque, Yuan dynasty, illustrated by James C.Y.Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, no.40; and another in the British Museum, London, illustrated by J.Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p.335, fig.1. Another very similar jade plaque of a goose, Yuan/Ming dynasty, is illustrated by Spink & Son Ltd., Chinese Jade: An Important Private Collection, London, 1991, p.39, no.78.

Provenance: From the private collection of a retired Army Major General in San Antonio, Texas.

keywords: antique china asian hand-carved open work hetian hotan nephrite mutton fat museum quality ming jin yuan

Item is in excellent condition with no damage, breaks, chips, loss of decoration or unusual oxidation or metal or repair. Metal portions have a warm patina that is commensurate with age and appropriate storage. Please see all images for more information on conditon.

2.175 x 3.625 x 1.625 in

8 oz