A PAIR OF FINE CHINESE WHITE JADE CIRCULAR INCENSE BOXES AND COVERS

A PAIR OF FINE CHINESE WHITE JADE CIRCULAR INCENSE BOXES AND COVERS
18TH CENTURY

With shallow bodies and low domed covers, each cover finely carved and pierced with a medallion enclosing peony blooms and buds amidst leafy branches, the sides similarly worked with many peonies set amongst trailing foliage, the slightly convex bases left undecorated, the stone of a creamy white tone with some cloudy striations, 10.2cm dia. (4)

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

Boxes of this type were used as incense containers. The fragrance would be released slowly through the pierced holes. Such pieces were very popular in wealthy and Imperial households, particularly in ladies' inner chambers.

The peony is indigenous to China. Among the many different species of peony, the Chinese are particularly fond of the Paeonia suffruticosa, Chinese: mudan, also known as fugihua, which is regarded as the flower of riches and honour. In ancient times, the city of Luoyang was renowned for its peony festivals, and many famous poems have been written about the flower. The most memorable one is probably by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi (772-846) who himself was a resident of Luoyang. He wrote:

"I'm saddened by the peonies before the steps, so red,

As evening came I found that only two remained.

Once morning's winds have blown, they surely won't survive,

At night I gaze by lamplight, to cherish the fading red."

In the early 20th century, the peony was crowned as China's 'national flower', and there are frequent peony exhibitions and shows.

Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware (III), p.53, no.42 for a related incense burner with comparable decoration.

十八世紀 白玉鏤雕牡丹紋蓋盒 一對

來源：勞倫斯珍藏玉石，1959年前購於Spink & Son。