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An unusual carved white jade lingzhi vase

Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng period (1723-1735)

Length: 20 cm

Carved on a single Hetian white jade, this unique jade flower cup, called yuhuacha, rises from a florid base with hollowed out knotted branches that stretch upward continuously to form eight well-shaped lingzhi  fungus and one flower cup. Each lingzhi with its broad slightly rounded head is different in size, but all are filled with concentric swirls and other naturalistic details. The conical form vase has a slender oval mouth finished in swirled design and is hollow inside.  The intertwined branches connect each with another in a harmonious entity whilst several outstanding sprigs add vigorous spirit to this magnificent  and well-balanced jade work.      

 Yuhuacha was a sophisticated decoration to be found on the desks of the scholars’ studies in the Ming and Qing dynasties. A single Hetian white jade Yuhuacha has its glorious origin from the emperors. It is extremely rare to find such an impeccable combination of such large single jade piece and such refined carving technique gracefully presented in one object. The skill of the carver is evident in the smooth carving of Hetian white jade as well as the choice of the motif. The luxuriant bodies of linzhi are vividly presented by the creamy texture of this semi-translucent white stone gleaming in its pure and natural charm. 

 A Kangxi period jade yuhuacha appeared on Christie’s May, 2007 Spring Auction in Hong Kong, lot 1614. Another similar design but much smaller yuhuacha appeared in Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Ceramics& Works of Art, Hong Kong, October, 2009, lot 1787.

只罕见的和田玉灵芝玉花插

清朝 雍政年间制 (1723-1735) 和田玉

长度：20 公分

 这只造型独特的灵芝造型玉花插取整块纯白无暇和田玉雕琢而成，从代表灵芝盘根绕节的根部伸展出不同枝节，八只大小不一，但外型相近的灵芝结于枝上，同一只不规则的圆锥状灵芝花瓶共同构成这只玉雕的主体。灵芝头上有雕刻细密的纹路和触头，花瓶也以灵芝的造型刻出婉转卷曲的纹路。这样一尊设计新奇，风格秀朗的整块和田玉雕刻的花插，实属清代玉石工艺中的上乘之作。玉石工匠完美地将灵芝厚大丰满的叶片通过田玉温润凝脂的质感表达出来，充分体现了清代早期玉石工匠对玉石材料属性的熟识和艺术工艺上的精益求精。整件作品凹凸有序，造型大度，抛光细腻，立意完美，是不可多见的和田玉佳作。

玉花插是古代学者放置于书案上的文房清供，明清以来甚为流行，而以这样大的整块和田玉雕刻的玉花插唯皇帝书桌上的玩物末属。

类似藏品在拍卖中亦不多见，2007年佳士得香港中国工艺品春拍中出现一尊类似的 灵芝玉花插， 拍品第1617号。2007年苏富比香港中国陶瓷和工艺品秋拍中有一件造型相似但外形小很多的灵芝花插， 拍品1787