M4996
Description
Chinese jade treasure sack, bao fu ping, of pomegranate form with well-hollowed interior, tied at the neck with a long flowing ribbon, the fluted body carved in relief with two dragons amongst stylised ruyi-clouds, the scales on their bodies intricately incised, the larger winged dragon with flames on the body, spikes on the spine and detailed hairwork to the mane, with a relief seven-character couplet, zhong you yun qi sui fei long, “there are clouds and mists following the flying dragons”, the underside gently recessed.
The stone of pure even pale celadon.
3 ½ inches, 8.9 cm high; 3 3/8 inches, 8.6 cm wide.
Qianlong, circa 1770.
Wood stand.
Condition
Minute nick to one of the dragon’s wings.
Provenance & Additional Information
- Sold by Sotheby’s London in their auction of Fine Chinese Ceramics, Archaic Bronzes, Jades and Works of Art, 14th November 1967, lot 2.
- Included by Marchant in their 95th Anniversary Exhibition of The Lobl Collection of Chinese Jades, 2020, no. 25.
- A yellow jade tied lotus leaf is illustrated Zhang Guangwen in Jade Ware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Beijing, no. 53, p. 65.
- A small jade vase of similar form carved with three dragons in high relief is illustrated by Zheng Xinmiao in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Beijing, 10, no. 51, p. 80.
- The form of a treasure sack, bao fu ping, means to wrap up and hold together happiness and good fortune. Together with the dragon it symbolises the emperor bringing happiness and good fortune to the whole country.
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