Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art

8
A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘PINE’ RHYTON
17th/18th century
17/18 世 纪 白 玉 仿 犀 牛 角 松 雕 杯
Dimensions: 9.5cm high; 11.3cm high with wooden stand
Provenance: - From the Collection of Henry Fitzalan-Howard (1847-1917),
14th Duke of Norfolk, Amberley Castle, West Sussex, and thence
by descent
Following a rhinoceros-horn prototype, the irregular-shaped flaring cup is carved
as a section of pine trunk, decorated with clusters of pine needles borne on gnarled
branches and inhabited by two shrews. The base is further decorated with a ‘lingzhi’.
The polished stone has a lustrous white tone with some russet inclusion, cleverly
used to accentuate parts of the tree and the fungus.
The decoration of this beautifully carved jade rhyton, with pine trees, squirrel and
the use of natural flaws in the stone to accentuate the overall design is typical of the
Transitional and early Qing period. It is perhaps inspired by bamboo or rhinoceros
carvings of the same period. Compare also a large jade brush pot of similar style,
formerly in the collection of Alan Hartman, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27
November 2007, lot 1524.