A FINE VERY PALE GREEN JADE 'PRUNUS' BRUSH WASHER 18th century The thick-walled washer of triangular shape, carved as a gnarled trunk issuing intertwined openwork branches on the sides amongst prunus blossoms and buds, the stone of very pale green tone with minor cloudy-white inclusions, wood stand. 13.8cm (5 1/2in) long. (2). Footnotes: Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 十八世紀 青白玉雕梅花紋洗 The present washer is notable for its intricate carving of blossoming prunus branches extending from a bowl in the form of a gnarled piece of wood, and the fine quality of the stone. By carving the jagged prunus branches in the round, the craftsman created a remarkable vessel for the scholar's studio. The design may have been inspired by rhinoceros-horn raft cups dating to the late Ming period, which were often carved in a way that mimicked a hollowed segment of a gnarled tree trunk detailed with naturalistic knots and twisting boughs. Compare with a similar pale green jade prunus washer, 18th century, illustrated by R.Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, no.95. A related jade washer, Qianlong, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 6 April 2016, lot 63. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: Y Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the EU, see clause 13. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com