AN IMPERIAL JADE, GILT-BRONZE, AND RUBY-INLAID ‘LOTUS AND BATS’ HAT STAND, QIANLONG PERIOD
China, 1736-1795. Of slender form, the round and domed base with a key-fret (leiwen) band along the edge below a design of fruiting peaches, all set beneath a ring of lotus leaf lappets which encircle the stem of the hat stand. The gilt-bronze stem decorated with numerous bats amid swirling clouds in high relief, all between two bands of neatly inlaid ruby-matrix (corundum) cabochon inlays. The translucent white jade with beautiful hues of apple green and lavender as well as russet veins and icy inclusions.


Provenance:
From an old private collection in Portland, Oregon, USA, and thence by descent in the same family.

Condition:
Very good condition with expected old wear, two of the cabochon inlays are missing from the stem, few minuscule nicks to the bronze and the jade. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into hairline cracks. The fitting to the underside of the base, that connects the jade with the bronze, is partially lost but stable.

Weight: 712 g
Dimensions: Height 23.9 cm


Hat stands were used in the private quarters of the Emperor
and members of the Imperial family. At the Qing Court, the type of hat one wore was very important and, when not in use, these signifiers of rank and status were displayed on suitably decorative stands and perfumed at the same time.


The bulb of the lotus
, with its leaves finely curling towards the center, is hollow. This is where the fragrant materials would have been placed. The lid is superbly carved to resemble the lotus pods and pierced multiple times, so that the odors originating from the fragrant materials may evaporate, thus perfuming the hat resting above with rich aromas.


The jade lid
is attached to the hat stand by a gilt-bronze chain secured to the inside, so that it cannot be lost.


Literature comparison:

Compare a carved red lacquer hat stand, 29.8 cm high, dated to the Qianlong period, at Christie’s New York, 14 September 2018, lot 1233. Compare a pair of canton enamel yellow-ground hat stands, 32.5 cm tall, dated to the 18th century, at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2166. Compare an imperial yellow-ground famille rose ‘nine dragons’ hat stand, 27.3 cm tall, dated to the Daoguang period, at Christie’s London, 8 November 2016, lot 80. Compare a cloisonné enamel and gilt-bronze hat stand, 28 cm tall, dated to the Qianlong period, at Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 57. Compare an imperial gilt-bronze hat stand, 49 cm tall, dated to the Qianlong period, at Bonhams London, 7 November 2013, lot 67.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 September 2006, lot 98
Price: USD 90,000 or approx.
EUR 125,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare pair of imperial white jade cloisonne enamel and gilt-bronze hat stands, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Note this lot consists of two hat stands. Note the size (31.4 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 10 May 2016, lot 34
Price: GBP 31,250 or approx.
EUR 52,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare inscribed celadon jade and zitan ‘nine dragon’ hat stand, dated by inscription to the cyclical year of Dingji of the Qianlong period, corresponding to 1737 and of the period
Expert remark: Note the size (27 cm).




乾隆御製白玉鎏金鑲寳蓮花帽座

中國，1736-1795年。白玉雕刻帽架和底座，中間鎏金銅支柱。帽架成盛開蓮花狀，花瓣與蓮蓬細節逼真，蓮蓬鏤空雕刻，有蓋可打開，裏面可放置熏香，蓋子用鎏金銅鏈繫住；底座緣有一個雷紋帶，淺浮雕芭蕉葉紋和桃子。鎏金銅支柱上浮雕祥雲蝙蝠圖案，兩端鑲嵌紅寶石。半透明的白色翡翠，具有美麗的蘋果綠和淡紫色色調，帶有赤色紋理和白色絮狀物。


來源：
美國奧爾良波特蘭私人舊藏，在同一家族保存至今。

品相：
狀況極好，有磨損，柄部丟失兩顆鑲嵌物，青銅和玉石上有一些微小的刻痕，具有天然內沁和裂隙的石料，其中一些可能發展成細裂；連接玉石和青銅的底座底部的配件部分丟失，但很穩定。

重量：712 克
尺寸：高 23.9 釐米

在清宮，帽子的類型非常重要，在不使用時，都會放置在帽座上，並且熏香。


文獻比較：

比較一件的清乾隆剔紅壽字花卉卷草紋帽架，高29.8 厘米，見紐約佳士得，2018年9月14日，lot 1233。比較一對清十八世紀銅胎畫琺瑯黃地蝙蝠花卉紋冠架，高32.5 厘米，見香港佳士得，2013年5月29日，lot 2166。比較一件清道光御製黃地粉彩九龍紋帽架，高27.3 厘米，見倫敦佳士得，2016年11月8日，lot 80。比較一件清乾隆銅胎掐絲琺瑯番蓮紋帽架，高28 厘米，見倫敦邦瀚斯，2021年5月13日，lot 57。比較清乾隆御製銅鎏金嵌百寶象式冠架，高49 厘米，見倫敦邦瀚斯，2013年11月7日，lot 67。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2006年9月19日，lot 98
價格：USD 90,000（相當於今日
EUR 125,000
）
描述：一對乾隆御製白玉掐絲琺瑯鎏金銅帽座
專家評論：請注意此為一對帽座。請注意尺寸(31.4 厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦佳士得，2016年5月10日，lot 34
價格：GBP 31,250（相當於今日
EUR 52,000
）
描述：乾隆丁己年青玉紫檀九龍紋帽座
專家評論：請注意尺寸(27 厘米)。