WINTER EXHIBITION 2008 - Roger Keverne

100 ROGER KEVERNE WINTER 2008
81
A very fine jade model of a crab
17th–18th centuries
Length: 3N in, 9.5 cm
realistically worked with eight legs, two large pincers, a bumpy shell and long eyes. Tied stems
of a lotus flower, seed pod and leaves trail over the underside, forming a stable foot, and are
entwined with millet. The semi-translucent stone is a pale celadon-green tone with russet
markings, mainly to the underside and intelligently used within the design, and bears a fine,
soft polish.
Formerly in the collection of E. T. Chow.
Created as a wedding present, the elements incorporated form the rebus Suisui hexie (May you
have a harmonious marriage year after year).
For similar examples, see Ip, Chinese Jade Carving, no. 190, pp. 210–11; Mai, Masterworks of
Chinese Jade in the National Palace Museum, Supplement, no. 24; Rawski and Rawson, China:
The Three Emperors 1662–1795, no. 226, p. 300, in the collection of the Palace Museum,
Beijing; Rawson and Ayers, Chinese Jade throughout the ages, no. 404; and Tregear, One
Man’s Taste: Treasures from the Lakeside Pavilion, no. J.27, p. 17.