A PALE CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘CICADA AND POMEGRANATE’ WATER POT, CHINA, 18TH CENTURY
Naturalistically carved in the form of a pomegranate bursting with seeds, a single cicada resting on the vessel’s peach-formed rim, with its wings tightly folded to the sides, posed ready to drink. The waterpot further carved in relief with a gnarled branch issuing finely veined leaves opposite the stem. The smoothly polished translucent stone is of a pale celadon tone with distinct patches of russet skin and veins.


Expert’s note
: Fascinatingly, this unusual object was intentionally designed to be displayed like a vase, when not used to hold water. This kind of "double" function was quite popular at the court in Beijing, intriguing viewers with an unexpected and surprising effect.


Provenance:
This lot comes from an antique shop owner from the north of England. His store sells all kinds of antiques, and people come in with unusual objects all the time, but he has been keeping and collecting Chinese works of art that he particularly likes for a long time.

Condition:
Very good condition with minor old wear and few microscopic nicks. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures. The surface shows a magnificent polish, rendering an unctuous feel overall.

Weight: 152.9 g
Dimensions: Width 8.7 cm


Fruits encapsulating auspicious messages
were highly favored in the 18th century. The pomegranate was especially popular as it symbolized fertility, and the bursting flesh of the fruit, exposing its many seeds inside, symbolized the wish for a large family. As the Chinese character for ‘seed’ (zi) is the same as that for ‘son,’ the many-seeded pomegranate is viewed as a symbol for having multiple sons who are expected to continue the family line.


The cicada’s role in Chinese culture
is a longstanding and fascinating one. Meanings associated with the insect range from simply indicating the onset of summer to more complex themes, such as rebirth and immortality. In general Chinese lore, cicadas are creatures of high status. They are considered pure because of their perch in high treetops. An ancient analogy in China suggests that a high-ranking official should resemble a cicada: residing high, eating a pure diet, and with sharp eyes. Also in antiquity, the headgear of rulers incorporated a golden image of a cicada with prominent eyes. The emblem signaled refinement, modesty, and a full awareness of one’s surroundings.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 15 May 2013, lot 58
Price: GBP 32,500 or approx.
EUR 58,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pale celadon jade ‘pomegranate’ waterpot, Qing dynasty, 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and color.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 31 May 2017, lot 13
Price: HKD 150,000 or approx.
EUR 19,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A white and russet jade ‘pomegranate and cicada’ carving, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, also with a cicada, manner of carving, and color with similar bright russet inclusions in the stone. Note that this lot has bruises and was later converted into a snuff bottle.




十八世紀灰白玉雕石榴水盂

玉質色澤微灰，有赭斑。全器雕石榴一枝，結有果實，石榴中空為盂，以蒂為口，枝葉均鏤空雕琢，石榴上停有一蟬。


來源：
這件拍品來自一位來自英格蘭北部的古董店店主的收藏。店裡賣各種各樣的古董，總是有人拿著不尋常的東西進來，但店主一直保留和收藏他特別喜歡的中國藝術品。

品相：
狀況極好，有輕微磨損和一些微小的劃痕。具有天然內沁和裂縫的玉石，表面光滑瑩潤。

重量：152.9 克
尺寸：寬 8.7 厘米


拍賣比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：倫敦蘇富比，2013年5月15日，lot 58
價格：GBP 32,500（相當今日
EUR 58,000
）
描述：清十八世紀青白玉「榴開百子」水盂
專家註釋：比較非常相近的外形，雕刻風格和顏色。


拍賣比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2017年5月31日，lot 13
價格：HKD 150,000（相當今日
EUR 19,500
）
描述：清白玉榴開百子擺件
專家註釋：比較非常相近主題，雕刻風格，以及相似的白玉留皮。請注意此後來改成鼻煙壺。