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A PAIR OF WHITE JADE QUAIL-FORM BOXES AND COVERS -

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A PAIR OF WHITE JADE QUAIL-FORM BOXES AND COVERS
Estimate
(Set Currency)
    HK$350,000 - HK$450,000
  • ($45,298 - $58,240)

Sale Information

Sale 2811
The Imperial Sale Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
31 May 2010
Hong Kong Buy Catalog





Lot Description

A PAIR OF WHITE JADE QUAIL-FORM BOXES AND COVERS
QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
Each naturalistically carved as a seated quail with its taloned feet tucked under the full body, the upper half forming the cover perfectly fitting along the scalloped edges on the box, and the plumage incised in minute detail
4 1/8 in. (10.9 cm.) long, wood stand, presentation box (2)


清十九世紀 白玉鵪鶉盒一對

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Pre-Lot Text

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

Provenance

A Japanese private collection

Lot Notes

Quails are auspicious birds because they are pronounced an in Chinese, which is a homophone for 'peace'. Two quails can be read as shuang an, or 'double peace', and thus, these birds appear as a pair on paintings, porcelains and textiles from as early as the Song dynasty.

Compare with other quail boxes of this type: one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo Yuqi Quanji, vol. 6, pl. 106; a pair illustrated by Ip Yee, Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1983, no. 196; a pair from the Alan and Simone Hartman collection sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1401; and a single example from the Tianhe Shanfang Collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1557.

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