Fine Chinese Paintings & Works of Art - 27th July 2021
Lot 68
A CHINESE BROWN AND CELADON JADE 'DRAGON' FINIAL
Estimate £6,000 - £8,000
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Description
A CHINESE BROWN AND CELADON JADE 'DRAGON' FINIAL
MING DYNASTY
Carved with a scaly dragon writhing amongst swirling clouds as it chases a flaming pearl, with breaking waves and jagged rocks below, all raised on an oval foot, the interior hollowed from the underside, with a paper label for S Marchant & Son, London, 2005, Chinese Jades from Han-Qing, no.22, together with a wood stand, 8cm. (2)
Provenance: formerly an English private collection; purchased from Marchant on 12th October 2005.
Illustrated: S Marchant & Son, 80th Anniversary Exhibition of Chinese Jades from Han to Qing, 2005, p.31, no.22.
The dragon is a zodiac animal and became the symbol of the Emperor. It represents power, renewal and benevolence and is often seen in pursuit of a flaming pearl, symbolising the pursuit of longevity.
Cf. R Keverne, Jade, p.144, fig.38 for a similar Ming dynasty finial.