ARCHAISTIC GU.

Late 18th/19th century, China. Nephrite: pale yellowish-green with light to dark brown streaks. Both ceramic and bronze examples of the gu are known from the late neolithic period. By the Anyang phase of Shang culture it had evolved into a classically graceful, useful, and versatile form, one much imitated in diverse media in later centuries. The gu is a frequent member of altar furniture and garniture sets, when it may be referred to as beakers. A gu is composed of a moderately wide and secure foot (which may or may not be shaped and rather high), a gently decreasing lower belly flowing into a well-defined waist, succeeded by a gently increasing upper belly and shoulder area which curves without interruption into the neck and lip. Depending on the period and production locale, the lip may be mildly or more extremely everted. The concave profile is often emphasized by the flanges which rise from foot to lip. Lids are not traditionally associated with the shape. If it is a marked separate feature, the foot may be decorated with a band of design; decor bands also may ring the lower belly and the waist, with “blade” or “cicada” shapes rising from the waist into the shoulder-neck zone, or descending from the waist into the foot area. This jade gu is true to the spirit of the Shang bronze versions in its use of a continuous profile with articulated flanges, but the flanges have become playful floral scrolls, a late development, and the form overall is square rather than circular in shape, which has caused some observers to dub it a zun rather than a gu. The incised dragon decor, the finished edges, and the double-bordered relief designs are well executed. The interior of the foot is hollowed to the waist-line, a treatment found also on the gu. The upper part of this vessel has a mottled appearance, with ribbons of dark color running through the otherwise light green body, lending the otherwise formal work a degree of informality. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 9.38″ x 4″. (23.8 x 10.2 cm.) CONDITION: Small triangular chip at corner of foot rim. 9-95191 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 13

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
	13	$4,740.00	ARCHAISTIC GU. Late 18th/19th century, China. Nephrite: pale yellowish-green with light to dark brown streaks. Both ceramic and bronze examples of the gu are known from the late neolithic period. By the Anyang phase of Shang culture it had evolved into a classically graceful, useful, and versatile form, one much imitated in diverse media in later centuries. The gu is a frequent member of altar furniture and garniture sets, when it may be referred to as beakers. A gu is composed of a moderately wide and secure foot (which may or may not be shaped and rather high), a gently decreasing lower belly flowing into a well-defined waist, succeeded by a gently increasing upper belly and shoulder area which curves without interruption into the neck and lip. Depending on the period and production locale, the lip may be mildly or more extremely everted. The concave profile is often emphasized by the flanges which rise from foot to lip. Lids are not traditionally associated with the shape. If it is a marked separate feature, the foot may be decorated with a band of design; decor bands also may ring the lower belly and the waist, with “blade” or “cicada” shapes rising from the waist into the shoulder-neck zone, or descending from the waist into the foot area. This jade gu is true to the spirit of the Shang bronze versions in its use of a continuous profile with articulated flanges, but the flanges have become playful floral scrolls, a late development, and the form overall is square rather than circular in shape, which has caused some observers to dub it a zun rather than a gu. The incised dragon decor, the finished edges, and the double-bordered relief designs are well executed. The interior of the foot is hollowed to the waist-line, a treatment found also on the gu. The upper part of this vessel has a mottled appearance, with ribbons of dark color running through the otherwise light green body, lending the otherwise formal work a degree of informality. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 9.38″ x 4″. (23.8 x 10.2 cm.) CONDITION: Small triangular chip at corner of foot rim. 9-95191 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 13 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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ARCHAISTIC GU.