Chinese Jade and Stone

Bottles and Jars

Cornelian jar with Chi-ih dragon and bird design

17th to 19th Century, Ch'ing Dynasty

Collected in 1971

SOLD

dimensions: (not including base)  

4 5/8" high x 3" wide x 2" deep

Lid is decorated with two large flowers and a long-tailed bird, possibly a feng-huang or Chinese phoenix. Two smaller birds sit among the limbs on the sides of the vessel.  Wooden base is included.  Jar is glued to the base.

good condition. Some minor chipping on the flower petals on the lid. Scattered fracture lines in the stone here and there, some that appear to be nature imperfections in the stone, and some from age and use.

 Jar is elaborately carved, encircle with flowering limbs in raised relief.  Two cat-like Chi-ih (immature dragons) cling to the sides of the vessel, as though climbing toward the top.  A smaller squirrel-like animal stands at the rim, acting as a rest that stabilizes the lid.   Possibly used to store snuff.

Lovely deep amber translucent color.  Cornilian is the red  to red-brown variety of Chalcedony, named after the Kornel cherry, which has a similar color.  In ancient times the stone was considered to still the blood and soften anger.

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