A STRIATED JADE VESSEL, CONG

Ming/Qing Dynasty

Ming/Qing Dynasty
The square-sectioned archaistic vessel with plain sides and indented corners, with a short circular neck and foot, the stone of mottled cream, grey and brown hues, with hardwood stand. 11.5cm (4 1/2in) high. (2).

明/清 灰玉琮

Provenance:
K.C. Wong
Bluett & Sons Ltd., London
E. A. Parry (1879-1946), London, acquired from the above on 4 June 1930, and thence by descent

Published and Exhibited:
Bluett & Sons Ltd., The Wong Collection of Ancient Chinese Jades, London, 1930, no.402

來源：
K.C. Wong舊藏
倫敦古董商Bluett & Sons Ltd.
倫敦E. A. Parry（1879-1946）舊藏，於1930年6月4日購自上者，並由後人保存迄今

展覽著錄：
Bluett & Sons Ltd.，《The Wong Collection of Ancient Chinese Jades》，倫敦，1930年，編號402

The present lot is inspired by Neolithic period cong which were characterised by a square outer section (representing Earth) around a circular inner part (representing Heaven). The scholarly tradition of archaism however, meant that this shape continued throughout Chinese history, as later scholars placed them on their desks to bring them closer to the idealised ancient past. See a related grey and black jade cong, Ming dynasty, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (acc.no.A.54-1936).

Compare also with a related mottled pale green and russet jade cong, Ming dynasty or later, which was sold at Christie's New York, 9 December 2020, lot 28.

琮內圓中空而外方，柱形，承襲新石器時代至商朝的典型式樣，與古代中國「天圓地方」的宇宙觀息息相關。雖然玉琮之具體用途尚未有一致結論，但普遍認為其應有別於一般的裝飾器物，或許具有某種宗教用途，更有可能屬於一種禮器。倫敦維多利亞和阿爾伯特博物館館藏一例明灰玉琮，藏品編號A.54-1936，可為參考。

另見一例明或以後青褐玉琮，售於紐約佳士得，2020年12月9日，拍品編號28。