California Asian Art Auction California Asian Art Auction
 July 7, 2018  July 7, 2018

 Lot # 5186 
A YELLOW JADE CARVED 'DRAGON' CENSER    清乾隆 黃玉御用仿古饕餮紋獸耳爐


  • Dimension: Height: 7 1/2 in (19.1 cm) Width: 8 in (20.3 cm)
  • Estimate From: $15000
  • Estimate To: $25000

The censer is modelled after an archaic bronze ritual vessel and is carved and pierced with four handles modelled as mythical beasts. It is supported on spreading foot, the exterior finely carved in shallow relief with taotie mask, the cover further carved with an openwork coiled dragon finial. The stone is of light yellow tone with russet inclusions. Qing Dynasty Qianlong period.


黃玉是極為珍貴的軟玉品種。明代高濂在《遵生八箋》中就有“玉以甘黃為上,羊脂次之;黃為中色,且不易得,以白為偏色,時亦有之,故而令人賤黃而貴白,以見少也……”這無疑從一個側面顯示出上等黃玉出產較少,身價在羊脂白玉之上。色澤純正的黃玉是玉材中最名貴的一種,材料極其難得。宋代到清代之間一直被皇家壟斷。明末的士大夫階層非常看重黃玉和白玉,其下為甘青、碧玉、墨玉、紅玉。此件器物用整塊黃玉雕琢而成,用料碩大,不惜成本。玉質溫潤,包漿醇熟。器形為效仿商周時期的酒器方彞變體而成。直口有蓋,器身與蓋子母口扣合緊密,蓋上雕有一飛龍,器物四周有獅鈕,飾饕餮紋。整件器物掏膛俐落,形制規整,紋飾華麗,頗有古意。乾隆酷愛仿古,應為清宮仿古陳設器物。黃玉是極為珍貴的軟玉品種。明代高濂在《遵生八箋》中就有“玉以甘黃為上,羊脂次之;黃為中色,且不易得,以白為偏色,時亦有之,故而令人賤黃而貴白,以見少也。”這無疑從一個側面顯示出上等黃玉出產較少,身價在羊脂白玉之上。色澤純正的黃玉是玉材中最名貴的一種,材料極其難得。宋代到清代之間一直被皇家壟斷。明末的士大夫階層非常看重黃玉和白玉,其下為甘青、碧玉、墨玉、紅玉。此件器物用整塊黃玉雕琢而成,用料碩大,不惜成本。玉質溫潤,包漿醇熟。器形為效仿商周時期的酒器方彞變體而成。直口有蓋,器身與蓋子母口扣合緊密,蓋上雕有一飛龍,器物四周有獅鈕,飾饕餮紋。整件器物掏膛俐落,形制規整,紋飾華麗,頗有古意。乾隆酷愛仿古,應為清宮仿古陳設器物。張先生舊藏