TWO YOUTHS ENCASED IN A PHOENIX SHELTER.

Probably 20th century, China. Jadeite: Natural boulder with weathered brown surface and light greenish-gray inclusions. The exterior of this large jade boulder has been decorated with a low-relief, ruddy brown matte texture decoration portraying a phoenix with wings outstretched to engulf the top and sides of the pebble-form boulder; a similar matte-finished low-relief brown-toned lotus-leaf pattern adorns the reverse. On the front (upper side) of this unusual work an opening reveals a polished white jade interior scene of two young figures resting in bed, a convincingly-modeled blanket pulled up to their waists. They both wear stomach warmers and bracelets, and while the one on the right carries a pomegranate, the one on the left holds a lotus pod with the seeds prominently displayed. There appear to be no known comparable carvings, although this writer recently saw in a Singapore antique store a single large boulder carving with a very similar ruddy, matte low-relief decorated exterior; however, it lacked the internal figural aspect of the present sculpture. Although the subject of this intriguing lap-size carving is obscure, there have been several suggestions as to a possible identification, the most convincing of which posits that the work illustrates “… the brother and sister who survive the Great Flood by floating to safety in a hu-lu (calabash) gourd”, a theme found among the southern minorities (Henricks). How else to explain this phoenix-wrapped form with its opening revealing two youths, except that since they both bear fertility objects (the pomegranate and lotus pod) with the implied wish for many children, this may be some type of fertility object. Their accoutrements of stomachers and bracelets are similar to those decorating the boy-shaped pillows so popular in later Chinese jade carvings. Certainly the popular pair of the Ho Ho Erhxian never took this form. While this carving appears endlessly fascinating, its date and content have still to be determined. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 6.38″ x 20.25″ x 9″. (16.2 x 51.4 x 22.9 cm.) CONDITION: Very good. 9-95513 (500-700) – Lot 60

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
	60	$1,303.50	TWO YOUTHS ENCASED IN A PHOENIX SHELTER. Probably 20th century, China. Jadeite: Natural boulder with weathered brown surface and light greenish-gray inclusions. The exterior of this large jade boulder has been decorated with a low-relief, ruddy brown matte texture decoration portraying a phoenix with wings outstretched to engulf the top and sides of the pebble-form boulder; a similar matte-finished low-relief brown-toned lotus-leaf pattern adorns the reverse. On the front (upper side) of this unusual work an opening reveals a polished white jade interior scene of two young figures resting in bed, a convincingly-modeled blanket pulled up to their waists. They both wear stomach warmers and bracelets, and while the one on the right carries a pomegranate, the one on the left holds a lotus pod with the seeds prominently displayed. There appear to be no known comparable carvings, although this writer recently saw in a Singapore antique store a single large boulder carving with a very similar ruddy, matte low-relief decorated exterior; however, it lacked the internal figural aspect of the present sculpture. Although the subject of this intriguing lap-size carving is obscure, there have been several suggestions as to a possible identification, the most convincing of which posits that the work illustrates “… the brother and sister who survive the Great Flood by floating to safety in a hu-lu (calabash) gourd”, a theme found among the southern minorities (Henricks). How else to explain this phoenix-wrapped form with its opening revealing two youths, except that since they both bear fertility objects (the pomegranate and lotus pod) with the implied wish for many children, this may be some type of fertility object. Their accoutrements of stomachers and bracelets are similar to those decorating the boy-shaped pillows so popular in later Chinese jade carvings. Certainly the popular pair of the Ho Ho Erhxian never took this form. While this carving appears endlessly fascinating, its date and content have still to be determined. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 6.38″ x 20.25″ x 9″. (16.2 x 51.4 x 22.9 cm.) CONDITION: Very good. 9-95513 (500-700) – Lot 60 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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TWO YOUTHS ENCASED IN A PHOENIX SHELTER.