MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
LENGTH: 15CM
The pale celadon boulder is fashioned and well-hollowed in the form
of a mythical beast, possibly a bixie , crouching low on its paws.
Its rounded body is detailed with flame-like protrusions extending
from its haunches, with two chilongs clambering atop and a third
climbing over the oval cover on its back. The large head is detailed
with alert bulging eyes under heavy eyebrows. Its mouth ajar
grasping a deep bowl with its menacing fangs. The stone is of an
even pale celadon tone.
Jade waterdroppers in the shape of a mythical beast gained
popularity in the Ming dynasty, although extant examples with
original covers are extremely rare. A closely related grey jade
waterdropper depicting a bixie with a bowl in its mouth is published
in Jessica Rawson and John Ayers, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages ,
London, 1975, cat. no. 338. Another similar example from the Qing
court collection is illustrated in The Complete Collection of
Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (II) , Hong Kong, 1995, pl.
160.
Possible prototypes of this form include a Han dynasty jade bixie
published in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the
Qing , London, 2002, pl. 26:7; and a bronze mythical beast
waterdropper depicted with a bowl in its mouth, published in The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bronze
Articles from Daily Use , Hong Kong, 2007, pl. 13.
PROVENANCE
A European Private Collection
| 明代 青白玉雕辟邪帶蓋硯滴 |
