Bottle ID: 369

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WHITE, BROWN SKIN, PHOENIX

Date: 1740-1800

Height: 59 mm

Nephrite, white, of slightly irregular ovoid form with a straight neck and square footrim, very well hollowed and carved in low relief around the edges with a pattern of cloud scrolls drifting into a formalized wave design towards the base, one main side retaining the bright russet skin, the sides with a stylized phoenix suspending a pendant tassel, the foot incised with a short inscription and signed Yen san gui yun.

Imperial, attributed to the Palace Workshops.

Similar Examples:

Sotheby's, New York, March 17, 1997, lot 174, The Canadian Collection.

Provenance:

Clare Lawrence Ltd.
Sotheby's, New York, September 15, 1998, lot 234
Neal W. and Frances R. Hunter
Dorothea Esty, 1973

Exhibited:

Annual Convention ICSBS New York, November 2013

The phoenix is one of the four mythical animals; the other three being the dragon, the qilin and the tortoise. It was endowed with supernatural powers and since it only appears during times of peace, is associated with a harmonious and peaceful reign. While the dragon is the symbol of the emperor, the phoenix is symbolic of the empress, although it is also known as the King of Birds. Often shown with the sun, it bestows blessings for a good harvest. The phoenix lived in the Cinnabar Cave which opened toward the sun, hence an often depicted red sun. On this stunning bottle the phoenixes are carved on the narrower sides of the bottle while the wonderfully bright russet skin may be symbolic of the sun.

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