Lot 52
A Large Carved Spinach Jade 'Landscape' Boulder, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
Lot 52 Details
A Large Carved Spinach Jade 'Landscape' Boulder, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
清 十八世纪 碧玉雕'归樵幽亭'图大山子
The large ovoid boulder carved in vertical profile with a continuous scene of a remote mountainous landscape, a lone buffalo positioned on a road leading to a house nestled amidst a tree-lined, rocky landscape at the lower level, the upper level with a finely detailed carving of a dog standing before another household, the stone boasting a striking semi-translucent dark green hue accented with lighter striations, a section of white inclusions imitating the flowing effect of a waterfall.
此山子呈硕大卵圆形碧玉，垂直构图，通景雕刻层峦远岫之景，技艺精湛。画面中下层一牛沿小径徐行，通往掩映于林木怪石间的屋舍，暗语'归隐'意境；上层亭前立雕工细腻小犬一只，与屋宇形成空间呼应。牛犬相应，共构'家宅兴旺，天地和谐'之意。玉料呈深绿色，间杂浅色流纹，局部留白皮处巧作飞瀑湍流，仿若水墨晕染。此山子体量硕大，高浮雕与镂空技法精绝，风格近乾隆宫廷造办处遗韵，如清宫碧玉「虎猎图」御题山子；同类青玉山子可见于罗伯特·克莱纳著《阿兰与西蒙·哈特曼珍藏中国玉器》（香港，1996年，图版128），唯此件雕工更为宏阔。
jade 9.3 x 6 x 3.5 in — 23.5 x 15.2 x 8.8 cm
154.3 oz. — 4800 grams
Estimate $8,000-$12,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
Property of a Judge, Westchester, New York, thence by descent within the family.
来源：
纽约威彻斯特郡法官旧藏，家族传承至今
Note:
Among jade carvings, carved boulders represent a landscape microcosm where the owner can visualize meandering through its paths and sitting in its pavilions to contemplate nature. This example is an unusually large and finely executed carving for its date. The high relief and undercutting resemble carvings from the Qianlong period, such as the imperial spinach green jade 'tiger hunt' plaque.
The buffalo is traditionally a symbol of auspiciousness, while the dog is seen as a guardian of blessings. Together, they embody themes of prosperity and harmony.
A similar, slightly smaller celadon jade boulder can be found in Robert Kleiner’s Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman (Hong Kong, 1996, plate 128).
类似一例碧玉山子请参考台北故宫，藏品编号：故00100716 及伦敦佳士得2013年5月14日，拍品编号1119，售价40,000英镑
Compare with a similar example from the National Palace Museum in Taipei, accession number: 故00100716; and a smaller example sold at Christie's London, May 14, 2013, lot 45, price realised 40,000 GBP.
https://digicol.dpm.org.cn/cultural/detail?id=c64904ee22a040f8b04304a85d0dd3dc
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5675391