A white Jade 'Plum Blossom' table screen, Qianlong c.1760-1795, the rectangular white jade panel worked on one side with an aesthetically studied gnarled trunk and branches of prunus blossoms in high relief, the other side polished but not carved, the stone of an even white tone, supported on a hardwood stand, possibly Hongmu. 3 3/4" L., 9.5 cm. [jade only]

Provenance: A Montreal family collection. Purchased in a Montreal antiques store c. 1950. Lot notes: Table screens such as this were often part of a scholars desk set. The desk set would include a brush rest, an ink stone, a brush pot, a water dropper and a single scholar's item like a screen or a boulder. The boulder or table screen would be included as an essential part of the scholars desk-set and yet it's purpose lay outside of utility. The subject matter of a boulder or screen must bare a secular moral quality relate-able to a scholar. In this case the plum blossom is superficially related to long life, as beautiful blossoms grow forth from old and gnarled looking branches. Notice the archetypal five-petal blossoms and the number five. One must immediately think of the "five blessings": <> - wikipedia 2. A Daoist scholar will also associate Daoist undertones beyond the literal, as the great scholar Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism and author of the "Tao Te Ching" was said to have been born under a plum blossom. <> - WIkipedia <> - Wikipedia

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The absence of a condition report does not imply good or bad condition however a condition report may be requested as additional information about any lot. Please understand that any statement about condition is provided to a prospective buyer as a courtesy and prospective buyer is encouraged to have a professional restorer or art conservator evaluate lots and their respective condition to make sure they meet any particular expectations. All lots are sold as-is where is. Please note this Sale is conducted in USD. All Canadian customers will have the option of paying the CAD equivalent. Keywords: Chinese imperial gilt bronze jade nephrite jadeite antique Beijing Shanghai Qing ming qianlong