A PALE YELLOW JADE 'RATS AND COINS' PLAQUE, SIGNED ZIGANG, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD
A PALE YELLOW JADE 'RATS AND COINS' PLAQUE, SIGNED ZIGANG, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD
China, c. 1830-1930 or a bit earlier. Of rectangular form, carved to one side with two rats, a pouch, and a string of cash coins in a lobed rectangular reserve below two confronting kui dragons centered by a small pierced aperture. The reverse with a poetic inscription and signature in cursive script. The translucent stone of a pale yellow tone with cloudy inclusions.
Inscriptions: To the reverse, 'Far up the mountain in autumn, the stone paths slope, where the white clouds are born, there are people's homes hiding' signed 'Zigang'.
Provenance: Florida trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and minuscule nibbling.
Weight: 52.8 g
Dimensions: 57 x 43 cm
The combination of rats and coins is a powerful symbol for the attraction of wealth and financial success. The coins are often shown in a rat's mouth or near its paws, signifying the ability to accumulate money and attract financial opportunities.
Little is known regarding Lu Zigang in contrast with his legendary reputation as the finest Suzhou jade carver. Craig Clunas notes that Lu's name appeared in the 1642 edition of the Gazetteer of Taicang Subprefecture, Taicangzhou Zhi, recording him as a native of this district, 'fifty years ago there was in this prefecture a certain Lu Zigang, whose skill at carving [jade] with the knife remains unsurpassed to the present. Jade hairpins by him sell for fifty or sixty ounces of silver each. The skill was not handed on at Zigang's death'; see Craig Clunas, Superfluous Things. Material Culture and Social Status in Early Modern China, Honolulu, 1991, p. 64.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 17 September 2013, lot 101
Price: USD 10,625 or approx. EUR 13,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pale celadon jade plaque qing dynasty, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of carving with similar kui dragons, cursive script, and Zigang signature. Note the pale celadon color.
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A PALE YELLOW JADE 'RATS AND COINS' PLAQUE, SIGNED ZIGANG, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD
China, c. 1830-1930 or a bit earlier. Of rectangular form, carved to one side with two rats, a pouch, and a string of cash coins in a lobed rectangular reserve below two confronting kui dragons centered by a small pierced aperture. The reverse with a poetic inscription and signature in cursive script. The translucent stone of a pale yellow tone with cloudy inclusions.
Inscriptions: To the reverse, 'Far up the mountain in autumn, the stone paths slope, where the white clouds are born, there are people's homes hiding' signed 'Zigang'.
Provenance: Florida trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and minuscule nibbling.
Weight: 52.8 g
Dimensions: 57 x 43 cm
The combination of rats and coins is a powerful symbol for the attraction of wealth and financial success. The coins are often shown in a rat's mouth or near its paws, signifying the ability to accumulate money and attract financial opportunities.
Little is known regarding Lu Zigang in contrast with his legendary reputation as the finest Suzhou jade carver. Craig Clunas notes that Lu's name appeared in the 1642 edition of the Gazetteer of Taicang Subprefecture, Taicangzhou Zhi, recording him as a native of this district, 'fifty years ago there was in this prefecture a certain Lu Zigang, whose skill at carving [jade] with the knife remains unsurpassed to the present. Jade hairpins by him sell for fifty or sixty ounces of silver each. The skill was not handed on at Zigang's death'; see Craig Clunas, Superfluous Things. Material Culture and Social Status in Early Modern China, Honolulu, 1991, p. 64.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 17 September 2013, lot 101
Price: USD 10,625 or approx. EUR 13,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pale celadon jade plaque qing dynasty, 19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of carving with similar kui dragons, cursive script, and Zigang signature. Note the pale celadon color.
