PILLOW IN FORM OF LOTUS-DRAPED BOY.

18th-19th century, China. Jadeite(?): pale greenish-yellow with brown fractures and added color. Pillows in the form of small boys are found in ceramic and hardstone form from the Sung period on, but during the later Qing period there was an explosion of interest in, and production of, jade pillows shaped like kneeling boys holding objects of symbolic import. Both pairs and single images of this form are known in jadeite and nephrite. The general shape is that of a kneeling boy, feet tucked up under his hips, arms crossed with hands resting on opposite shoulders, and head up and looking straight ahead. Often the boy wears only a stomacher (belly warmer) or a lotus leaf, but in some examples he may be more fully dressed, in jacket and leggings (Palm, p. 52, #39). One or both hands may hold a sheng (mouth organ), a lotus (SHK 11/18/86, #193), a ruyi (magic fungus) (Keverne, p. 8, #2), or other objects such as a bird (Gump, p. 159). There may be bracelet pairs encircling wrists and ankles, and on some technically spectacular pillows of this type, this jewellery may revolve independently. The boy’s head may have hair assembled into a top knot (or top knots), or there may be a lotus cap. As well as being functional, the boy bedecked with a lotus and mouth organs (as here) symbolizes an important rebus, the wish for “continuous birth of noble sons”. This is based on the homophones lien and sheng, “lotus” and “mouth organ”, which are akin verbally to the lien and sheng of “continuous birth” (Barth, fig. 13). The felicity of thought accords with the typically blissful smile on the boys’ faces. It is unlikely that this work ever served as a pillow, since the effective space available for a head is only about 3.5″ (8.9 cm) wide. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 7″ x 7.88″ x 3″. (17.8 x 20 x 7.6 cm.) PROVENANCE: The Personal Collection of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt. CONDITION: Stone with variegated russet inclusions and multiple natural fissures. Good polished surfaces. 47671-152 (1,250-2,250) – Lot 3106

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016

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
	3106	$1,185.00	PILLOW IN FORM OF LOTUS-DRAPED BOY. 18th-19th century, China. Jadeite(?): pale greenish-yellow with brown fractures and added color. Pillows in the form of small boys are found in ceramic and hardstone form from the Sung period on, but during the later Qing period there was an explosion of interest in, and production of, jade pillows shaped like kneeling boys holding objects of symbolic import. Both pairs and single images of this form are known in jadeite and nephrite. The general shape is that of a kneeling boy, feet tucked up under his hips, arms crossed with hands resting on opposite shoulders, and head up and looking straight ahead. Often the boy wears only a stomacher (belly warmer) or a lotus leaf, but in some examples he may be more fully dressed, in jacket and leggings (Palm, p. 52, #39). One or both hands may hold a sheng (mouth organ), a lotus (SHK 11/18/86, #193), a ruyi (magic fungus) (Keverne, p. 8, #2), or other objects such as a bird (Gump, p. 159). There may be bracelet pairs encircling wrists and ankles, and on some technically spectacular pillows of this type, this jewellery may revolve independently. The boy’s head may have hair assembled into a top knot (or top knots), or there may be a lotus cap. As well as being functional, the boy bedecked with a lotus and mouth organs (as here) symbolizes an important rebus, the wish for “continuous birth of noble sons”. This is based on the homophones lien and sheng, “lotus” and “mouth organ”, which are akin verbally to the lien and sheng of “continuous birth” (Barth, fig. 13). The felicity of thought accords with the typically blissful smile on the boys’ faces. It is unlikely that this work ever served as a pillow, since the effective space available for a head is only about 3.5″ (8.9 cm) wide. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 7″ x 7.88″ x 3″. (17.8 x 20 x 7.6 cm.) PROVENANCE: The Personal Collection of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt. CONDITION: Stone with variegated russet inclusions and multiple natural fissures. Good polished surfaces. 47671-152 (1,250-2,250) – Lot 3106 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2016 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

PILLOW IN FORM OF LOTUS-DRAPED BOY.