A FINE AND RARE CHINESE TWO-COLOUR JADE CARVING OF A BOY AND LOTUS GROUP

A FINE AND RARE CHINESE TWO-COLOUR JADE CARVING OF A BOY AND LOTUS GROUP
QIANLONG 1736-95

The boy finely carved in white jade kneeling on a large lotus seed pod, holding an armillary sphere or bowl from which a coin rises supported by swirling clouds, the coin is incised with a yin-yang symbol and shows a touch of brown skin to the top, the large and two smaller lotus leaves are carved from brown jade which contrasts both the boy and white stem to the underside of the lotus seed pod, with a wood stand, 16.5cm. (2)

Provenance: property of a Lady, purchased from John Sparks, 19th January 1955, a copy of the invoice is available.

It is possible that the item offered here depicts Nezha, a Chinese deity of protection, also known as the 'Marshal of the Central Altar' and the 'Third Lotus Prince'. Nezha is often depicted as a young boy standing or sitting on a lotus leaf, with a golden bracelet (known as the Qiankun Circle or Universe Ring), and holding a sphere or a hoop-like weapon. His birth was miraculous, with his mother Lady Yin carrying him for three and half years after which time Nezha emerged as a ball of flesh. One of the most famous stories about Nezha recounts his battle with the Dragon King. After accidentally killing the third son of the Dragon King of the East Sea, Nezha sacrifices himself to protect his family from the Dragon King's wrath. However, he is later resurrected by the Daoist Immortal Taiyi Zhenren using lotus flowers which have become a symbol of his rebirth.

清乾隆 青灰玉巧色玉雕蓮托哪吒擺件
來源：女士收藏，1955 年1月19日購於從 John Sparks（附發票複印件）。