AN ARCHAISTIC KHOTAN-GREEN JADE CONG, QIANLONG PERIOD

The stone of a translucent quality and an even dark green hue with ochre and russet inclusions
China, Qianlong period (1736-1795)


This archaistic cong is carved from Khotan-green jade and is masterly carved with two expressive Taotie masks in the classical style of the Liangzhu culture. Furthermore, the hexagonal ritual object shows a meander border incised to both rims.

This cong dates to the Qianlong period and belongs to the precious group of archaistic jade objects that were so high in fashion at the period as the Emperor Qianlong was one of the few historical emperors obsessed with jades. And it was during this jade-obsessed Emperor's reign that Chinese jade art reached an unprecedented peak. Qianlong-era jades can therefore be divided into jades in period styles (shizuo yu) and archaistic jades (fanggu yu).

Shape: Hexagonal cong shape
Dimensions: 8 cm height, diameter is 9.5 cm
Weight: 386.5 grams
Condition: excellent condition with few small nicks to bottom rim
Provenance: from an American private collection

Auction results comparison: For Qianlong mark and period Khotan-green jades see Sotheby’s, WATER, PINE AND STONE RETREAT COLLECTION – QIANLONG, 08 OCTOBER 2009, HONG KONG, lot 1832 (for a jue cup) or Sotheby’s, FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 05 NOVEMBER 2008, LONDON, lot 60 (for a small phoenix jar).

乾隆仿古和田墨玉琮
半透明石，墨綠色肌理，赭石色及褐色沁
中国，乾隆（1736-1795）

造型：方琮形
尺寸：高8 厘米，直徑 9.5 厘米
重量：386.5 克
品相：优秀，瓶沿処些微小磕碰
来源：美国私人收藏