A fine carved white jade “lotus leaf†brush washer, "Bixi", early Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th century

the stem acting as a handle, the vessel supported on a bed of small leaves and tendrils, the veins in the leaves exquisitely carved, the exterior with traces of russet skin

Zitan stand with Spink and Son Ltd. label

15.3cm long, 14.5cm wide, 7.1cm high

Lotus was highly appreciated by Chinese scholars, it represents their spiritual purity. In the famous Northern Song Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073)'s Ode to the Lotus Flower, he stated that "I just love lotus because she grows in mud, yet never contaminates with it. She floats on waving water, yet never dances with it."

Chinese Jade in Qing dynasty was often carved in a nature form, which represents the naturalism idea of scholars. A smaller jade brush washer with similar lotus form see the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number: 02.18.401). Another similar white jade brush washer with much smaller size and simpler design was sold at Christie's King Street, UK, in November 2013, lot no.80.



Provenance: Spink & Son Ltd., 28/4/1987

和田白玉è·è‘‰å½¢ç­†æ´—

清早期å七至å八世紀

長：15.3公分；寬：14.5公分；高：7.1公分

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