AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF WHITE JADE ‘QUAIL’ BOXES AND COVERS, QIANLONG PERIOD, 1736-1795

Expert’s note:
The artist paid meticulous attention to the differences between male and female quails while creating the original concept for these boxes during the earlier Qianlong period. Notably, the female quail is depicted as larger than the male, their eyes are portrayed differently, and the sizes of their beaks diverge. Although white jade obviously cannot display colors, the design of the present boxes aims to symbolize the great variety found in male and female quail plumage through neatly incised patterns and textures. An almost identical pair from this group, showcasing the same characteristics of sexual dimorphism, was previously sold at Christie's Hong Kong on November 30, 2011, as lot 3029 (refer to auction result comparison below). Although other examples within the group do exhibit these characteristics to some degree, they appear to be less intricate overall. Therefore, it is believed that only the earliest group, likely crafted between 1740 and 1750, displays the remarkable level of detail found in the current lot.

Both quails are shown with their taloned feet tucked under their bodies. The upper half of each box serves as a perfectly fitting cover, precisely aligning with the scalloped edges. The plumage is incised with remarkable detail, while the head is gently turned to one side and adorned with several layers of feathering. The beak and eyes exhibit finely carved lines, adding to the overall intricacy.

The semi-translucent white jade displays an even tone with subtle hints of pale celadon and tiny russet inclusions. The polish of the stone is of magnificent quality, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the pair. (4)


Provenance
: From a private collection in Paris, France, and thence by descent.

Condition
: Pristine condition with old wear and few microscopic nicks, inherent to the stone, which have smoothened over time. Expected natural inclusions and fissures.

Weight: 263.8 g and 221.7 g
Dimensions: Length 11.4 cm and 10.6 cm


The quail is an emblem of courage
in Chinese art, due to its fierce nature and fighting prowess. Curiously, however, because the Chinese word for quail (an) is a homophone for ‘peace’, it is often recognized as a symbol of harmonious existence. Two quails can be read as shuang an, or 'double peace', and thus, these birds appear as a pair on paintings, porcelains and textiles from as early as the Song dynasty.


Literature comparison:

Compare a closely related pair of quail boxes in the Seattle Art Museum also with their heads turned but carved from a slightly yellowish stone and dated to the Qianlong period, illustrated in James Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, cat.no.73. Also compare a similar box in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji [Complete collection of Chinese jades], Shijiazhuang, 2005, vol. 6, p. 69, no. 106. Also compare a pair formerly in the collection of T.Y. Chao illustrated by R. Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, no. 196. Compare also a pair illustrated by Ip Yee, Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1983, no. 196


Auction result comparison:

Type: Near-identical
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2011, lot 3029
Price: HKD 2,660,000 or approx.
EUR 435,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An exquisite pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Expert remark: Another example from the earliest group. Compare the marked difference in the eyes, feathers, and beaks of the male and female quail. Note the identical length (11.5 cm) of the larger bird.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 November 2012, lot 2182
Price: HKD 2,540,000 or approx.
EUR 395,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Expert remark: A later example, where the difference in the eyes, beaks, and feathers are less prominent. Note the slightly larger size (11.8 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4110
Price: HKD 2,180,000 or approx.
EUR 339,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A fine pair of white jade quail-form boxes and covers, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Expert remark: A later example, where the difference in the eyes, beaks, and feathers are less prominent. Note the slightly smaller size (10.5 cm).




乾隆時期一對白玉鵪鶉蓋盒


白玉蓋盒，以鵪鶉為原型，整器一料剖開雕製而 成，內挖空為膛成容器，分上下兩層，子母口相合，可開啟。鵪鶉呈俯臥狀，圓眼尖喙，短頸碩身，雙肢屈收於腹下。雙翅收攏貼服身軀兩側，羽翼豐滿，翎毛刻劃細密清晰，層疊有序，紋絲不亂，維妙維肖。緻密雅致，略帶金黃沁。


來源
：
法國巴黎的私人收藏，在同一家族保存至今。

品相：
有磨損和微小刻痕，隨著時間的推移已經變得平滑，天然內沁和裂縫。

重量：分別爲263.8 克與221.7克
尺寸：分別長11.4 厘米與10.6 厘米


鵪鶉寓意平安吉祥
，穀穗象徵豐收，兩相映襯。一對鵪鶉又象徵著婚 姻美滿、家業興盛、衣食豐足。


文獻比較：

比較一對非常相近的乾隆時期鵪鶉盒，收藏於西雅圖藝術博物館，它們的頭也轉一側，但由略帶黃色的石頭雕刻而成，見James Watt，《Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum》，圖錄編號73。一件鵪鶉盒，收藏於北京故宮博物院藏，見《中國玉器全集》，石家莊，2005年，卷6，頁69，編號106。比較一對鵪鶉盒，曾藏於T.Y. Chao 收藏，見R. Kleiner，《Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman》，香港，1996 年，編號196。比較一對鵪鶉盒，見葉儀，《中國玉雕》，香港藝術館，1983 年，編號 196。


拍賣結果比較：


形制：幾乎相同
拍賣：香港佳士得，2011年11月30日，lot 3029
價格：HKD 2,660,000（相當於今日
EUR 435,000
）
描述：清乾隆白玉鵪鶉蓋盒一對
專家評論：比較雄性和雌性鵪鶉的眼睛、特徵和喙有明顯差異。請注意較大的一件長度(11.5 釐米) 相同。


拍賣結果比較：


形制：非常相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2012年11月28日，lot 2182
價格：HKD 2,540,000（相當於今日
EUR 395,000
）
描述：清乾隆白玉鵪鶉蓋盒一對
專家評論：眼睛、喙和羽毛的差異不太明顯。請注意尺寸較大 (11.8 釐米)。


拍賣結果比較：


形制：非常相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2012年5月30日，lot 4110
價格：HKD 2,180,000（相當於今日
EUR 339,000
）
描述：清乾隆白玉鵪鶉蓋盒一對
專家評論：眼睛、喙和羽毛的差異不太明顯。請注意slightly 尺寸較小 (10.5 釐米)。