A MASSIVE CHINESE IMPERIAL PALE CELADON JADE 'BIRTHDAY' BOULDER

QIANLONG 1736-95

Carved in high relief with two figures carrying presents up a hill towards an open terrace amongst pine trees where two cranes look up towards the sky. To the side are three small caves, one with a pair of deer. The reverse is carved with further caves, all beneath stylised clouds. The stone with white and russet inclusions, and raised on a reticulated zitan stand carved with rocks, pine branches and various blossoms, the wood with copper-coloured speckles, 21cm. (2)

Provenance: the collection of Lady Robertson (d.1977), purchased from John Sparks 17th January 1958 for £150 and thence by descent (recorded in the Sparks' archive).

Cf. Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Jade 8, Qing Dynasty, p.154, no.117 for a related boulder, also depicting a birthday celebration.