A FINE CHINESE ROCK CRYSTAL 'PHOENIX' GROUP

A FINE CHINESE ROCK CRYSTAL 'PHOENIX' GROUP
18TH/19TH CENTURY

Carved in pale translucent stone as a vase and a waterpot, the vase formed as the hollowed trunk of a gnarled pine tree, with a waterpot shaped as lingzhi growing from the root of the tree, decorated in high relief to one side in a green section of the stone with a phoenix perching amidst bamboo, with pine needles and further lingzhi detailed to the reverse, the base worked to simulate tree rings, 12.7cm.

Provenance: the Lawrence Collection of jades and hardstone carvings, purchased from Spink & Son prior to 1959.

The motifs in this group are full of auspicious symbolism. The lingzhi represent longevity, whilst the pine and bamboo are emblematic of endurance and friendship. The phoenix is regarded as a sacred bird which carries various meanings, including prosperity, power, grace and virtue. The mythical bird was also adopted as a symbol of the Empress.

十八/十九世紀 水晶雕竹報富貴瓶

來源：勞倫斯珍藏玉石，1959年前購於Spink & Son。