Chinese Jade Plaque with Butterfly, 18th-19th Century

A Chinese white jade pierced plaque dating from the 18th to the 19th century. The plaque features a butterfly and a lotus.

Dimensions are: 1 1/2 in. tall X 3 1/4 in. wide; 3.8 cm tall X 8.3 cm wide. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: It is in good condition.

Provenance: From Mrs. Hwang in the San Francisco area, inherited from her grandfather, Zou Dianbang. Zou Dianbang was a successful Chinese businessman from the Guangzhou province, where he held the post of chairman of the Guangzhou Banking Association and the chairman of the Guangzhou General Chamber of Commerce. He became a millionaire in his 20s and applied his financial acumen to the support of certain key political figures, including Sun Yat-sen and Hu Hanmin, despite his personal lack of interest in politics. In 1928, Zou Dianbang founded the Beiyuan Restaurant, whose ‘pick and fry’ methodology, using ingredients from their nearby vegetable garden, has long associated his name with Cantonese cuisine.

High resolution photos can be found at: https://oag.smugmug.com/Asian-Decorative-Arts-March-2020