ROUND BRUSH WASHER WITH DENSE DRAGON AND CLOUD DECOR.

18th-19th century, China. Jadeite: opaque white with small bright patches of emerald green and light violet. Brushwashers (xi) and large bowls intricately decorated with a dragon, and sea and cloud combination are known in hard stone examples dating as far back as the Yuan, when a particularly famous “black” (dark green) jade example was created (Keverne, p. 130, Fig. 5; Till, p. 43, two views). During the Ming there were many dragon-sea-cloud bowls or brush washers produced in jade for scholars’ studios and palace use (Watt 2, pp. 134-35, #111; Palmer, #21-2; Poor, #6). Because of the respect accorded scholar’s desk objects as well as the potent symbolism implied by this combination of decorative motifs, these bowls or brushwashers generally are of extremely fine quality. Often the dragons are shown as rising from a swirling watery base and rising into the clouds, a spring scene of great import for an agricultural economy, implying fertility and rain for crops in the fields. The dragons may number from two up to nine in number on any one bowl. The popular theme of a “flaming pearl” being chased by two dragons also appears on some brushwashers. During the Qing, the dragons may appear in high relief against an undecorated or simply decorated body with cloud patterns (as with #27; Beurdeley, p. 232: NPM, #41). Alternatively, dragons and clouds may unite to create a frenzied, roiling surface from which no individual form emerges in high relief. The overall configuration of the bowl or brush washer also varies widely, from a circular form with handles, as here, to a plain circular form, a gourd shape (as in Keverne, p. 148), a nonconforming bulbous shape, and other alternatives, as dictated by the shape of the material and desires of the patron or workshop. This classically simple circular bowl, with long-tongued ram-horned animal-mask handles supporting independently-turning rings at two sides, has a sunken undecorated base and undecorated interior. The sensitive low relief overall design of dragons and clouds froths over the entire surface, leading up to the circular mouth opening. The color patches of violet and green upon the cream vase further enliven the surface, and create an unexpectedly assymetrical gracenote to the otherwise formal and traditional piece. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 2.5″ x 9″ dia (7 x 22.9 cm dia) (mask to mask). CONDITION: Very good. 9-95015 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 27

Auction: FAAA - Wall-Apelt Collection - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	27	$5,925.00	ROUND BRUSH WASHER WITH DENSE DRAGON AND CLOUD DECOR. 18th-19th century, China. Jadeite: opaque white with small bright patches of emerald green and light violet. Brushwashers (xi) and large bowls intricately decorated with a dragon, and sea and cloud combination are known in hard stone examples dating as far back as the Yuan, when a particularly famous “black” (dark green) jade example was created (Keverne, p. 130, Fig. 5; Till, p. 43, two views). During the Ming there were many dragon-sea-cloud bowls or brush washers produced in jade for scholars’ studios and palace use (Watt 2, pp. 134-35, #111; Palmer, #21-2; Poor, #6). Because of the respect accorded scholar’s desk objects as well as the potent symbolism implied by this combination of decorative motifs, these bowls or brushwashers generally are of extremely fine quality. Often the dragons are shown as rising from a swirling watery base and rising into the clouds, a spring scene of great import for an agricultural economy, implying fertility and rain for crops in the fields. The dragons may number from two up to nine in number on any one bowl. The popular theme of a “flaming pearl” being chased by two dragons also appears on some brushwashers. During the Qing, the dragons may appear in high relief against an undecorated or simply decorated body with cloud patterns (as with #27; Beurdeley, p. 232: NPM, #41). Alternatively, dragons and clouds may unite to create a frenzied, roiling surface from which no individual form emerges in high relief. The overall configuration of the bowl or brush washer also varies widely, from a circular form with handles, as here, to a plain circular form, a gourd shape (as in Keverne, p. 148), a nonconforming bulbous shape, and other alternatives, as dictated by the shape of the material and desires of the patron or workshop. This classically simple circular bowl, with long-tongued ram-horned animal-mask handles supporting independently-turning rings at two sides, has a sunken undecorated base and undecorated interior. The sensitive low relief overall design of dragons and clouds froths over the entire surface, leading up to the circular mouth opening. The color patches of violet and green upon the cream vase further enliven the surface, and create an unexpectedly assymetrical gracenote to the otherwise formal and traditional piece. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 2.5″ x 9″ dia (7 x 22.9 cm dia) (mask to mask). CONDITION: Very good. 9-95015 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 27 Auction: FAAA - Wall-Apelt Collection - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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ROUND BRUSH WASHER WITH DENSE DRAGON AND CLOUD DECOR.