A White Jade Openwork Cicada Plaque with Chilong Border, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), 43FH
Carved from pale translucent jade with a milky white tone and subtle internal clouding, the plaque is formed as a vertically oriented openwork panel with a symmetrical outline tapering to a pointed lower edge; the surface is decorated in low relief with stylized scrolls and abstracted vegetal motifs derived from archaic Chinese decorative vocabulary, arranged around a central vertical register and pierced through with elongated and rounded apertures to create a balanced openwork design; the edges are softly rounded and smoothly finished, while the carving remains relatively shallow and even, indicating mechanical consistency rather than hand-intensive archaic workmanship; the reverse mirrors the front with simplified relief and comparable polish; the overall form and decorative language reference ancient jade plaques from early ritual and ornamental traditions, though the material quality, carving style, and uniform finish indicate a modern work produced in the 20th century for decorative or collector purposes in an archaistic idiom rather than an archaeological object. Height 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.), width 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.).
Provenance:
Private Collection, East Asia.
Acquired on the art market, late 20th century.
Condition
Items are sourced from an estate.This is a no-reserve auction.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Carved from pale translucent jade with a milky white tone and subtle internal clouding, the plaque is formed as a vertically oriented openwork panel with a symmetrical outline tapering to a pointed lower edge; the surface is decorated in low relief with stylized scrolls and abstracted vegetal motifs derived from archaic Chinese decorative vocabulary, arranged around a central vertical register and pierced through with elongated and rounded apertures to create a balanced openwork design; the edges are softly rounded and smoothly finished, while the carving remains relatively shallow and even, indicating mechanical consistency rather than hand-intensive archaic workmanship; the reverse mirrors the front with simplified relief and comparable polish; the overall form and decorative language reference ancient jade plaques from early ritual and ornamental traditions, though the material quality, carving style, and uniform finish indicate a modern work produced in the 20th century for decorative or collector purposes in an archaistic idiom rather than an archaeological object. Height 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.), width 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.).
Provenance:
Private Collection, East Asia.
Acquired on the art market, late 20th century.
Condition
Items are sourced from an estate.This is a no-reserve auction.
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
