Asian Art I - 12th November 2014

Lot 109

A Chinese pale celadon jade carving of a magnolia flower 17th century

Estimate £8,000 - £10,000

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Description

A Chinese pale celadon jade carving of a magnolia flower 17th century, with a large single bloom issuing from a gnarled curling branch, its long petals forming a cylindrical bell-like flowerhead, with other smaller flowers and buds extending around the larger petals, 13.4cm.

The white magnolia, yulan, is an emblem of purity. It is used as a pictorial pun to represent the Chinese word for jade, yu.