White Jade (nephrite) Oval Plaque from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Provenance: Purchased at Bonhams & Butterfields Fine Asian Works of Art Auction, San Franscisco, May 13, 2003 as lot #5212.
Open carving of a swan and a swallow amid flowering lotus plants and water grasses. Deeply undercut and polished to a soft luster, the details of the birds' feathers and the rippling pond are executed in delicate incised line work. The exquisitely carved surface is smooth and warm to the touch. The carving is nested in a velvet covered easel frame. Oval jade carving dimensions are 2 7/8 by 3 7/8 inches (73mm X 98mm). The condition is perfect except for a chip on the edge of one of the leaves. Because of the angle, it is difficult to find. The chip is 1/16 inch (1.6mm) long by 1/64 inches (0.4mm) deep. T are a few icy white inclusions and a small patch of gray within the stone itself. This is common in 4 to 5 hundred year-old jade carvings. Two of the pictures highlight the grey spot and the white inclusion. The easel is excellent because it holds the carving securely, as it was custom built, and it can be used to display the carving at two angles: either about 20 degrees from horizontal or 20 degrees from vertical. The easel dimensions are 4 1/2 by 5 inches (11.4cm X 12.7cm). The following is the description of the item as it appears in the Bonhams & Butterfields catalog of May 13, 2003:"Good White Nephrite Oval Reticulated Plaque - Ming Dynasty - The matrix showing a faint ivory cast, a few icy white inclusions and a small patch of grey; deeply undercut and polished to a soft luster to form the tableau of a tiny sparrow and larger duck amid flowering lotus plants and water grasses, the details of the birds' feathers and the rippling pond executed in delicate incised line work (chip), mounted on a velvet covered easel frame. - Width 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) - $2,500 - 4,000"My father bought this from them for $3,600 in 2003.Payment Terms: I accept Paypal and credit/debit card (via PayPal). I will also accept personal checks or money orders, but will wait until the ckeck has cleared to ship the carving. Shipping Terms: I will ship this item worldwide. International bidders welcome. Buyer pays purchase price plus USPS priority or global
priority shipping and insurance. US $20, Canada $32, UK $40, all others $60.
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