China
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Chinese Carved Lavender Jade Figure of a Seated Immortal
Han Chinese · Late Qing to Republic era, about 1880–1940
Details
| Dimensions | Height 63 cm (24¾ in) |
|---|---|
| Country | ChinaMore about CountryChina, from the southern carving centres of Guangdong and Hong Kong. |
| Tribe / Culture | Han ChineseMore about Tribe / CultureHan Chinese. Jade carving was a leading art in Suzhou, Yangzhou and Guangzhou. Carvers there were known for lively figures of immortals, sages and luohan. Burmese jadeite reached these workshops from the late 18th century. It allowed large, richly coloured sculptures such as this one. |
| Age / Period | Late Qing to Republic era, about 1880–1940More about Age / PeriodLate Qing to Republic era, about 1880–1940. Jade carving is most prized in the Qianlong era (1736–1795), and this later period carried the tradition forward with large, ambitious jadeite carvings. |
Symbolism & Iconography
The figure is a bearded Daoist sage or immortal with a topknot cap, seated on a rock and holding a bamboo section. The rock stands for the mountain retreat and a life apart from worldly ambition. Bamboo stands for integrity and long life. The strong body suggests spiritual vitality, and the pointed ears mark a being beyond the ordinary. Lavender jade adds ideas of virtue, protection and long life.
Aesthetic & Formal Analysis
This is a confident, expressive carving. The twisting torso, the angled limbs and the laughing face give it movement and character. The muscles are modelled in a naturalistic way. The beard, brows and hair are finely incised in a warm contrasting tone. The soft lilac-grey stone has a smooth, waxy polish that shows off the large forms. At 63 cm, it has strong presence on display.
