Jade
See also : Early Qing Qianlong Jewels II Dragon Cartier
Chronology : 1720-1729 1760-1769 1780-1789 1790-1799 1800-1809 1830-1839 1933
Chronology : 1720-1729 1760-1769 1780-1789 1790-1799 1800-1809 1830-1839 1933
Definition
Jade is a generic term that applies to jadeite and nephrite.
1725 The Jade Seals of the Yongzheng Emperor
2015 SOLD for HK$ 105M including premium
The Yongzheng Emperor had an original and exquisite artistic taste. A eunuch serving as a majordomo transferred to the workshops the edicts by which the emperor expressed his desires. The records have been kept. Regarding the seals, an extreme accuracy in descriptions and sizes allows to attribute the pieces.
The 15th day of the 7th month of the third year of the reign, August 22, 1725 in our calendar, the eunuch commissions two white jade seals for the same inscription along with their boxes. Five days later a bronze prototype of the inscription is submitted to an inspection.
Both jade seals are completed in the next month, nine days apart one another. This great speed of execution is explained by the fact that the workshops had re-carved two ancient seals that the emperor himself had probably chosen in the imperial collection before issuing his order.
The smaller of the two seals, 5.5 x 5.6 cm, carved with a dragon in Yuan style, was sold for HK $ 35,4M including premium by Sotheby's on October 5, 2011.
The other seal, reworked from a Kangxi figure, is larger and more ambitious. 7.4 cm high on a square base 6.1 x 6.1 cm, it has the form of a rock on which a hornless dragon or chilong is reclining with a wide open mouth in a threatening attitude. The rock is flanked by eight other chi moving amidst clouds.
This seal is offered with its luxurious original box inlaid in ivory. It is estimated HK $ 30M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 7, lot 102.
Both seals discussed above are exceptional. Although Yongzheng has ordered more than two hundred seals during his short reign, only five have been made in jade.
The 15th day of the 7th month of the third year of the reign, August 22, 1725 in our calendar, the eunuch commissions two white jade seals for the same inscription along with their boxes. Five days later a bronze prototype of the inscription is submitted to an inspection.
Both jade seals are completed in the next month, nine days apart one another. This great speed of execution is explained by the fact that the workshops had re-carved two ancient seals that the emperor himself had probably chosen in the imperial collection before issuing his order.
The smaller of the two seals, 5.5 x 5.6 cm, carved with a dragon in Yuan style, was sold for HK $ 35,4M including premium by Sotheby's on October 5, 2011.
The other seal, reworked from a Kangxi figure, is larger and more ambitious. 7.4 cm high on a square base 6.1 x 6.1 cm, it has the form of a rock on which a hornless dragon or chilong is reclining with a wide open mouth in a threatening attitude. The rock is flanked by eight other chi moving amidst clouds.
This seal is offered with its luxurious original box inlaid in ivory. It is estimated HK $ 30M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on April 7, lot 102.
Both seals discussed above are exceptional. Although Yongzheng has ordered more than two hundred seals during his short reign, only five have been made in jade.
#HK #AuctionUpdate: 9 bidders, 14 mins: Imperial White Jade Yongzheng Yubi Zhi Bao Seal sells for HK$104.9m/US$13.5m pic.twitter.com/5p8ODk7WrO
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) April 7, 20151766 The Duties of the Grandfather
2021 SOLD for HK$ 146M by Sotheby's
1722 CE was the 61st and final year of Kangxi's reign. He had devoted his entire life to his role as a political leader, continually concerned with the well-being of his people. This competent emperor did not want his work to disappear with him.
In the third month of that 61st year, he asked to meet one of his many grandsons, the ten-year-old Prince Hongli. The boy indeed had promising gifts, both intellectually and physically. The old emperor, aged 69, took a personal and intensive responsibility for the martial and literary education of the prince. When he died a few months later, a hitherto secret letter was opened, designating Hongli's father as his successor.
Hongli in turn ascended to the throne in 1735 with the reign name Qianlong. His short relationship with his grandfather marked him for life. Kangxi will remain his model, for his attitude and his commitments. An emperor must relentlessly do good by applying the highest virtues day after day. Qianlong's piety for his grandfather was so intense that he would abdicate in the 61st year of his own reign, in a decades-long premeditated tribute to Kangxi.
Qianlong may be the Son of Heaven, but he is also a human being. His father's accession to the empire came at the expense of another prince and his own legitimacy could be challenged. In 1742 he wrote an essay on his justification, for the use of the Imperial Palace.
In 1766 the question remains valid. Qianlong reworks his essay which is inscribed on a tablet for the use of Ji'entang, the Hall of Grace Remembrance. The emperor explains how and why his grandfather passed on his beneficent influence to him, and the daily efforts he never ceased to make to be worthy of this trust. He takes care to detail how an emperor of the Zhou dynasty organized his own succession by dismissing a virtuous but unambitious heir.
A white jade seal is made in the same year for use in the same room, with the three characters for impressing the word Ji'entang in archaic script. The sides are inscribed with the full version of the essay. The knob is a pair of entwined dragons. The sacking of the Summer Palace in 1860 left some veining in the perimeter but the mark and the dragons are not damaged.
This 10.4 cm square seal with a total height of 7.8 cm was sold for HK $ 146M by Sotheby's on April 22, 2021, lot 3603. It is the third seal with strong historical significance narrated by Nicolas Chow in the video shared by Sotheby's.
In the third month of that 61st year, he asked to meet one of his many grandsons, the ten-year-old Prince Hongli. The boy indeed had promising gifts, both intellectually and physically. The old emperor, aged 69, took a personal and intensive responsibility for the martial and literary education of the prince. When he died a few months later, a hitherto secret letter was opened, designating Hongli's father as his successor.
Hongli in turn ascended to the throne in 1735 with the reign name Qianlong. His short relationship with his grandfather marked him for life. Kangxi will remain his model, for his attitude and his commitments. An emperor must relentlessly do good by applying the highest virtues day after day. Qianlong's piety for his grandfather was so intense that he would abdicate in the 61st year of his own reign, in a decades-long premeditated tribute to Kangxi.
Qianlong may be the Son of Heaven, but he is also a human being. His father's accession to the empire came at the expense of another prince and his own legitimacy could be challenged. In 1742 he wrote an essay on his justification, for the use of the Imperial Palace.
In 1766 the question remains valid. Qianlong reworks his essay which is inscribed on a tablet for the use of Ji'entang, the Hall of Grace Remembrance. The emperor explains how and why his grandfather passed on his beneficent influence to him, and the daily efforts he never ceased to make to be worthy of this trust. He takes care to detail how an emperor of the Zhou dynasty organized his own succession by dismissing a virtuous but unambitious heir.
A white jade seal is made in the same year for use in the same room, with the three characters for impressing the word Ji'entang in archaic script. The sides are inscribed with the full version of the essay. The knob is a pair of entwined dragons. The sacking of the Summer Palace in 1860 left some veining in the perimeter but the mark and the dragons are not damaged.
This 10.4 cm square seal with a total height of 7.8 cm was sold for HK $ 146M by Sotheby's on April 22, 2021, lot 3603. It is the third seal with strong historical significance narrated by Nicolas Chow in the video shared by Sotheby's.
Qianlong - An Imperial Jade Seal from the Guimet Collection
2008 SOLD 63 MHK$ including premium
The Imperial Chinese seals are in great demand. The specimen presented by Sotheby's has the four character Imperial mark of Qianlong. In an utterly flawless white jade, it has a design of two intertwined dragons, according to a model that was already known by Kangxi, grandfather of Qianlong.
This seal, along with several others from the sale of October 8 in Hong Kong, comes from a collection that the French regard as an example: that of Emile Guimet, founder of a museum which remains the largest museum of Asian Art in Paris. This group had remained in the dining room of the Guimet family.
This jade seal is estimated beyond 50 MHK$ (4.34 M€)
On 13 and 15 June I discussed here the sale at 4.7 million € excluding costs of a Kangxi seal, large for this type of object, which was only in steatite but had the advantage to be presented with its original box.
The beauty of white jade and of dragons could generate a difference of price in favour of Sotheby's lot, which would be according to the auction house the largest jade seal of Qianlong.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Imperial Chinese seals are highly desirable, and their arrivals on the market generate a sustained interest.
The white jade seal, described above, was sold 63 MHK$ including fees. I noted its dimensions, which had not yet been published when I prepared my article: 12.5 x 12.5 cm.
In the same sale another Qianlong seal of the same material, 7.5 x 7.5 cm, also from the Guimet collection, was sold 37 MHK$ fees included on a low estimate of 5 MHK$. Considering its size, this result is particularly remarkable.
This seal, along with several others from the sale of October 8 in Hong Kong, comes from a collection that the French regard as an example: that of Emile Guimet, founder of a museum which remains the largest museum of Asian Art in Paris. This group had remained in the dining room of the Guimet family.
This jade seal is estimated beyond 50 MHK$ (4.34 M€)
On 13 and 15 June I discussed here the sale at 4.7 million € excluding costs of a Kangxi seal, large for this type of object, which was only in steatite but had the advantage to be presented with its original box.
The beauty of white jade and of dragons could generate a difference of price in favour of Sotheby's lot, which would be according to the auction house the largest jade seal of Qianlong.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Imperial Chinese seals are highly desirable, and their arrivals on the market generate a sustained interest.
The white jade seal, described above, was sold 63 MHK$ including fees. I noted its dimensions, which had not yet been published when I prepared my article: 12.5 x 12.5 cm.
In the same sale another Qianlong seal of the same material, 7.5 x 7.5 cm, also from the Guimet collection, was sold 37 MHK$ fees included on a low estimate of 5 MHK$. Considering its size, this result is particularly remarkable.
Qianlong - The Third Seal
2011 UNPAID at € 12.4M including premium by Chassaing-Marambat
2012 SOLD 3.8 M€ including premium
The prices of the Qing imperial jade seals continue to increase. Since 2008, this column traces in detail their evolution. We should however be cautious, as shown in the example below.
On three times the auction house Chassaing-Marambat (previously Hervé Chassaing) has auctioned Qing seals. Their sales take place in Toulouse.
Sold € 5.5 million including premium on 14 June 2008, the first seal was outstanding for its period (Kangxi) and its dimensions. It did not return in the market to my knowledge, but I am willing to bet that it would be much more expensive today. Its success drew the other two.
Carved with a lying dragon, a Xintian Zhuren seal (a pseudonym of Qianlong after 1759) was sold € 3.3 million including premium on 17 April 2010. This one also did not reappear.
The third seal was carved of the most prestigious theme : two entwined dragons. From the Qianlong period and measuring 7.7 high with a 9.9 cm square print, it raised the bid of € 12.4 million including premium on 26 March 2011. The result was announced by the auction house as a world record.
One should not talk about world auction records. An operation is only complete when the lot is paid and delivered. This is not the case with the latter seal, which will be relisted at the same location on March 31.
It is a good opportunity to point out two exceptional prices announced by Poly from their sale in Beijing on December 6, 2011.
A small Tai Shang Huang Di cylinder seal (from the official name of Qianlong after his abdication) was sold RMB 160M including premium. The price of a Dao Guang seal, RMB 91M including premium, is also quite remarkable when considering its later date, 1831 in our calendar.
POST SALE COMMENT
The "record" is not confirmed. The seal was sold € 3.1 million before fees this year, after reaching € 12.4 million including premium one year ago.
According to the procedure of folle enchère (non-paying bidder) applicable under French law, the defaulting buyer shall pay a fine equal to the difference of the two prices, fees included. In this case involving an Asian buyer, such recovery may be difficult.
On three times the auction house Chassaing-Marambat (previously Hervé Chassaing) has auctioned Qing seals. Their sales take place in Toulouse.
Sold € 5.5 million including premium on 14 June 2008, the first seal was outstanding for its period (Kangxi) and its dimensions. It did not return in the market to my knowledge, but I am willing to bet that it would be much more expensive today. Its success drew the other two.
Carved with a lying dragon, a Xintian Zhuren seal (a pseudonym of Qianlong after 1759) was sold € 3.3 million including premium on 17 April 2010. This one also did not reappear.
The third seal was carved of the most prestigious theme : two entwined dragons. From the Qianlong period and measuring 7.7 high with a 9.9 cm square print, it raised the bid of € 12.4 million including premium on 26 March 2011. The result was announced by the auction house as a world record.
One should not talk about world auction records. An operation is only complete when the lot is paid and delivered. This is not the case with the latter seal, which will be relisted at the same location on March 31.
It is a good opportunity to point out two exceptional prices announced by Poly from their sale in Beijing on December 6, 2011.
A small Tai Shang Huang Di cylinder seal (from the official name of Qianlong after his abdication) was sold RMB 160M including premium. The price of a Dao Guang seal, RMB 91M including premium, is also quite remarkable when considering its later date, 1831 in our calendar.
POST SALE COMMENT
The "record" is not confirmed. The seal was sold € 3.1 million before fees this year, after reaching € 12.4 million including premium one year ago.
According to the procedure of folle enchère (non-paying bidder) applicable under French law, the defaulting buyer shall pay a fine equal to the difference of the two prices, fees included. In this case involving an Asian buyer, such recovery may be difficult.
1786 The Master of the New Frontier
2010 SOLD for HK$ 122M including premium by Sotheby's
2019 SOLD for RMB 94M including premium
PRE 2019 SALE DISCUSSION
Belonging to the Qing dynasty of Manchu origin, the Qianlong emperor wants to unify all the Chinese ethnic groups, certainly to escape a hegemony of the Han. His territory is separated from the Mongols and Tibetans by a rebel people, the Dzungars.
The war against the Dzungars ends with a Qing victory in the 24th year of the reign matching 1759 CE. The strategy proposed by the emperor himself had been determining. The area is emptied of its original occupants by genocide, deportation and smallpox and becomes Shintian (or Xinjiang) meaning new frontier.
Qianlong is immensely proud of his civilizing achievement on behalf of the authentic Chinese people. He agrees to add to his nicknames that of master of Shintian which is partly a homophony with Xintian Shuren meaning "the ruler who believes in heaven". In that period he has a significant quantity of seals made with that name.
Time passes. The emperor is getting older. During the 49th year of the reign, courtiers seek to reinterpret the sobriquet. Qianlong complacently writes a poem in which he is astonished that his civilizing work has been so completely supported by the heavens. New Xintian Shuren seals will be regularly created over the years to honor Shintian's master.
On October 7, 2010, Sotheby's sold as lot 2103 for HK $ 122M including premium a very large seal with that mark. It will be sold by Poly in Beijing on June 5, lot 5569.
This piece 12.9 cm square and 11 cm high in greenish white jade weighs 3.5 kg. The knob consists of a pair of superbly sculpted crossed dragons. Its production including chiseling and inscription had lasted five months. It is identified in the imperial archives during the 51st year of the reign matching 1786 CE.
Belonging to the Qing dynasty of Manchu origin, the Qianlong emperor wants to unify all the Chinese ethnic groups, certainly to escape a hegemony of the Han. His territory is separated from the Mongols and Tibetans by a rebel people, the Dzungars.
The war against the Dzungars ends with a Qing victory in the 24th year of the reign matching 1759 CE. The strategy proposed by the emperor himself had been determining. The area is emptied of its original occupants by genocide, deportation and smallpox and becomes Shintian (or Xinjiang) meaning new frontier.
Qianlong is immensely proud of his civilizing achievement on behalf of the authentic Chinese people. He agrees to add to his nicknames that of master of Shintian which is partly a homophony with Xintian Shuren meaning "the ruler who believes in heaven". In that period he has a significant quantity of seals made with that name.
Time passes. The emperor is getting older. During the 49th year of the reign, courtiers seek to reinterpret the sobriquet. Qianlong complacently writes a poem in which he is astonished that his civilizing work has been so completely supported by the heavens. New Xintian Shuren seals will be regularly created over the years to honor Shintian's master.
On October 7, 2010, Sotheby's sold as lot 2103 for HK $ 122M including premium a very large seal with that mark. It will be sold by Poly in Beijing on June 5, lot 5569.
This piece 12.9 cm square and 11 cm high in greenish white jade weighs 3.5 kg. The knob consists of a pair of superbly sculpted crossed dragons. Its production including chiseling and inscription had lasted five months. It is identified in the imperial archives during the 51st year of the reign matching 1786 CE.
1790 The Self Strengthening of the Qianlong Emperor
2013 SOLD 67 M RMB yuan including premium
2017 UNSOLD
PRE 2017 SALE DISCUSSION
A jade seal of the Qianlong emperor coming for sale at Poly Auction in Hong Kong on April 4 at lot 3093 had previously been discussed in this column. The essay below is based of my 2013 discussion.
On 8 October 2008 Sotheby's sold imperial seals from the personal collection of Emile Guimet who also had been the founder of a major Asian art museum in Paris. The star lot of the sale was a Qianlong white jade seal of large size, 12.5 x 12.5 cm, that sold for HK $ 63M including premium in line with the estimate.
The surprise came at lot 2007 from a smaller Qianlong jade seal that sold for HK $ 37M including premium over a lower estimate of $ 5 MHK.
This little wonder, 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm, continued its career on the art market. On 4 June 2010, it was sold for RMB yuan 56M including premium by Poly in Beijing. It was later sold for RMB yuan 67M including premium on May 12, 2013 by China Guardian, lot 3108.
The theme with two entwined dragons symbolizing the power and cleverness of the emperor is classic but the sharpness of the jade carving is exceptional, with a special care to the facial expression and the whiskers of the dragons. The polishing of flat surfaces is perfect.
Commissioned by the emperor for the festivities of his 80th birthday in the 54th year of his reign, 1790 in our calendar, it is a Zi Qiang Bu Xi, promoting self-reliance and perseverance of the emperor in the creation of progress and by that way taking care not to fall into the indolence of old age before leaving the power.
A jade seal of the Qianlong emperor coming for sale at Poly Auction in Hong Kong on April 4 at lot 3093 had previously been discussed in this column. The essay below is based of my 2013 discussion.
On 8 October 2008 Sotheby's sold imperial seals from the personal collection of Emile Guimet who also had been the founder of a major Asian art museum in Paris. The star lot of the sale was a Qianlong white jade seal of large size, 12.5 x 12.5 cm, that sold for HK $ 63M including premium in line with the estimate.
The surprise came at lot 2007 from a smaller Qianlong jade seal that sold for HK $ 37M including premium over a lower estimate of $ 5 MHK.
This little wonder, 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm, continued its career on the art market. On 4 June 2010, it was sold for RMB yuan 56M including premium by Poly in Beijing. It was later sold for RMB yuan 67M including premium on May 12, 2013 by China Guardian, lot 3108.
The theme with two entwined dragons symbolizing the power and cleverness of the emperor is classic but the sharpness of the jade carving is exceptional, with a special care to the facial expression and the whiskers of the dragons. The polishing of flat surfaces is perfect.
Commissioned by the emperor for the festivities of his 80th birthday in the 54th year of his reign, 1790 in our calendar, it is a Zi Qiang Bu Xi, promoting self-reliance and perseverance of the emperor in the creation of progress and by that way taking care not to fall into the indolence of old age before leaving the power.
1796 The Emperor Emeritus
2011 SOLD for RMB 160M including premium by Poly
narrated before the 2010 sale by Sotheby's (see below) and again in 2021
The Qianlong era ends by the emperor's will on the 3rd day of the 9th month in the 60th year of his reign, February 8, 1796 CE. In a ceremony that brings together all his relatives, the old man awards to himself the rare and glorious title of Tai Shang Huang Di (Emperor Emeritus). He thus becomes the equal of the very first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and his virtue will remain greater than that of the reigning emperor because the sky does not have two suns. He designates to succeed him his 15th son who opens the Bingchen year and the Jiaqing era.
Qianlong retires from political life but retains an intense literary and artistic activity. Three weeks after his abdication, he issues an edict commissioning a first seal with his new designation. The prototype, 22.5 cm square, is in the collection of the Palace Museum. For this new variety, he composes a poem to be engraved on the sides of the seal.
About twenty Tai Shang Huang Di seals are made. Almost all of them are square or rectangular, symbols of the earth. A seal surmounted by two dragons, in green jade 13 cm square, was sold for HK $ 91M including premium by Sotheby's on October 5, 2016.
The only shape exception is a cylinder 4.6 cm in diameter and 5 cm high, dated Bingchen. It is in translucent white jade with russet at the top of the piece engraved at this place with a pictogram between two qilings. Qianlong named such a perfect stone a Han white jade.
The poem is carved in archaic calligraphy and it can be assumed that this jade was reused from a Han seal. Such historical reminiscence is unique among Tai Shang Huang Di seals. The circle is the symbol of the sky.
It has been sold twice by Sotheby's, for HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, lot 1301, and for HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010, lot 1815 here linked on the Invaluable bidding platform. I narrated it before the 2010 sale. It was later sold for RMB 160M including premium by Poly, on December 6, 2011, lot 4982.
Qianlong retires from political life but retains an intense literary and artistic activity. Three weeks after his abdication, he issues an edict commissioning a first seal with his new designation. The prototype, 22.5 cm square, is in the collection of the Palace Museum. For this new variety, he composes a poem to be engraved on the sides of the seal.
About twenty Tai Shang Huang Di seals are made. Almost all of them are square or rectangular, symbols of the earth. A seal surmounted by two dragons, in green jade 13 cm square, was sold for HK $ 91M including premium by Sotheby's on October 5, 2016.
The only shape exception is a cylinder 4.6 cm in diameter and 5 cm high, dated Bingchen. It is in translucent white jade with russet at the top of the piece engraved at this place with a pictogram between two qilings. Qianlong named such a perfect stone a Han white jade.
The poem is carved in archaic calligraphy and it can be assumed that this jade was reused from a Han seal. Such historical reminiscence is unique among Tai Shang Huang Di seals. The circle is the symbol of the sky.
It has been sold twice by Sotheby's, for HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, lot 1301, and for HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010, lot 1815 here linked on the Invaluable bidding platform. I narrated it before the 2010 sale. It was later sold for RMB 160M including premium by Poly, on December 6, 2011, lot 4982.
1796 The Emperor Supreme of the Qing
2016 SOLD for HK$ 91M including premium
The Qianlong Emperor lived for 87 years, spanning most of the eighteenth century of our calendar. He protected arts and culture with a refinement that made him in the following of his father Yongzheng the most effective art patron of all time.
He thought of his retirement which he had promised to take if his reign was to exceed 60 years. His grandfather Kangxi had reigned 61 years and this period should not be exceeded for a reason of respect. The emperor must be a model of virtue and can not change a wish or express a remorse. After a transitional year named Bingchen, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in 1796 of our calendar.
Qianlong now becomes the Taishang Huang meaning the Emperor Supreme, a traditional title awarded in the Chinese empire to emperors who left the throne, but examples of an abdication like Qianlong's without a palace revolution are of course exceptional in Chinese history.
During his reign, Qianlong was a great lover of seals that he used to put his imperial mark on the documents and works of art that he had consulted. He had now changed his own denomination and ordered the execution of the Taishang Huangdi shi Bao seals meaning the seals of the treasure of the Emperor Supreme.
A very large seal 22.5 cm square is made for the purpose to serve as a model and will never be used. It is kept in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Copies are made in various smaller sizes using the finest jades.
The largest of the seals actually used by Taishang Huang is 13 cm square. It was carved in a boulder of green jade from Khotan on the motif of two addorsed dragons. This prestigious piece is estimated HK $ 80M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 3304. It is offered with its original zitan stand but its box was lost. Please watch here below the video shared by the auction house.
We may take as references three results including premium recorded by Sotheby's. A Xintian Shuren seal of Qianlong also 13 cm square was sold for HK $ 122M on 7 October 2010. A cylindrical Bingchen seal in white jade was sold for HK $ 96M on April 8, 2010. A small Taishang Huandi seal improved with a poem explaining the abdication was sold for HK $ 64,5M on April 8, 2011.
He thought of his retirement which he had promised to take if his reign was to exceed 60 years. His grandfather Kangxi had reigned 61 years and this period should not be exceeded for a reason of respect. The emperor must be a model of virtue and can not change a wish or express a remorse. After a transitional year named Bingchen, the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in 1796 of our calendar.
Qianlong now becomes the Taishang Huang meaning the Emperor Supreme, a traditional title awarded in the Chinese empire to emperors who left the throne, but examples of an abdication like Qianlong's without a palace revolution are of course exceptional in Chinese history.
During his reign, Qianlong was a great lover of seals that he used to put his imperial mark on the documents and works of art that he had consulted. He had now changed his own denomination and ordered the execution of the Taishang Huangdi shi Bao seals meaning the seals of the treasure of the Emperor Supreme.
A very large seal 22.5 cm square is made for the purpose to serve as a model and will never be used. It is kept in the Palace Museum in Beijing. Copies are made in various smaller sizes using the finest jades.
The largest of the seals actually used by Taishang Huang is 13 cm square. It was carved in a boulder of green jade from Khotan on the motif of two addorsed dragons. This prestigious piece is estimated HK $ 80M for sale by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on October 5, lot 3304. It is offered with its original zitan stand but its box was lost. Please watch here below the video shared by the auction house.
We may take as references three results including premium recorded by Sotheby's. A Xintian Shuren seal of Qianlong also 13 cm square was sold for HK $ 122M on 7 October 2010. A cylindrical Bingchen seal in white jade was sold for HK $ 96M on April 8, 2010. A small Taishang Huandi seal improved with a poem explaining the abdication was sold for HK $ 64,5M on April 8, 2011.
The Imperial 'Taishang Huangdi Zhi Bao' Seal - the largest ever used by the Qianlong Emperor - fetches HK$91.5m/US$11.8m in #HK pic.twitter.com/9VPJ3SdO12
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) October 5, 2016
1796 Xintian Zhuren and Taishang Huandi
2011 SOLD 64.5 MHK$ including premium
The competition is intense among Chinese buyers, whose competence may now be qualified as extreme. We now know that the bid of £ 51.6 million put in November 2010 on a Qianlong vase at Bainbridge's in the suburbs of London was not a fluke.
Gradually, the international auction houses are appreciating and accompanying the quality criteria of these new collectors who are blazing the market. In the discussion below, I focus specifically on white jade seals of Emperor Qianlong, which are a true barometer of the market thanks to the fact that they are frequent at auction.
Yesterday, March 26, at Toulouse, Chassaing et Marambat sold € 12.4M a Qianlong seal which had been estimated between 1 and 1.5 M €. Bloomberg, who was the first to forward this information, observes that buyers were interested in the beautiful transparency of the white jade and in the sharpness of his carving. This piece measures 10 x 10 cm at the base and 7.55 cm high.
On April 8 in Hong Kong, two Qianlong seals are for sale at Sotheby's.
One of them is a Xintian Zhuren (the monarch who believes in heaven), 10.7 x 10.7 cm at the base, decorated with a magnificent pair of addorsed dragons. It dates from the 25th year of the reign (1760), after Qianlong had successfully resisted a Muslim revolt.
Its estimate at HK $ 50M is low. This seal is very similar to another somewhat larger specimen, 13 x 13 cm, sold by them HK $ 120M including premium on October 7, 2010.
The other seal in the next sale is a Taishang Huangdi, 8.2 x 8.2 cm base, also with entwined dragons. Dated to the beginning of the Jiaqing era (1796), it embeds on its sides a poem in which the emeritus Emperor Qianlong explains his abdication.
The expected price, HK $ 30M, is probably taking into account some minor wear announced in the catalog. I previously discussed here a unique cylindrical Taishang Huangdi, smaller, sold twice, again at Sotheby's Hong Kong: HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Xintian Zhuren, for which I thought that the estimate was too low, has not been sold.
The Taishang Huandi got a very good result: HK $ 64.5 million including premium. The inscribed imperial poem certainly helped to push its price.
Gradually, the international auction houses are appreciating and accompanying the quality criteria of these new collectors who are blazing the market. In the discussion below, I focus specifically on white jade seals of Emperor Qianlong, which are a true barometer of the market thanks to the fact that they are frequent at auction.
Yesterday, March 26, at Toulouse, Chassaing et Marambat sold € 12.4M a Qianlong seal which had been estimated between 1 and 1.5 M €. Bloomberg, who was the first to forward this information, observes that buyers were interested in the beautiful transparency of the white jade and in the sharpness of his carving. This piece measures 10 x 10 cm at the base and 7.55 cm high.
On April 8 in Hong Kong, two Qianlong seals are for sale at Sotheby's.
One of them is a Xintian Zhuren (the monarch who believes in heaven), 10.7 x 10.7 cm at the base, decorated with a magnificent pair of addorsed dragons. It dates from the 25th year of the reign (1760), after Qianlong had successfully resisted a Muslim revolt.
Its estimate at HK $ 50M is low. This seal is very similar to another somewhat larger specimen, 13 x 13 cm, sold by them HK $ 120M including premium on October 7, 2010.
The other seal in the next sale is a Taishang Huangdi, 8.2 x 8.2 cm base, also with entwined dragons. Dated to the beginning of the Jiaqing era (1796), it embeds on its sides a poem in which the emeritus Emperor Qianlong explains his abdication.
The expected price, HK $ 30M, is probably taking into account some minor wear announced in the catalog. I previously discussed here a unique cylindrical Taishang Huangdi, smaller, sold twice, again at Sotheby's Hong Kong: HK $ 46M including premium on October 9, 2007, HK $ 96M including premium on April 8, 2010.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Xintian Zhuren, for which I thought that the estimate was too low, has not been sold.
The Taishang Huandi got a very good result: HK $ 64.5 million including premium. The inscribed imperial poem certainly helped to push its price.
early Jiaqing - pair of Jadeite Seals
2010 SOLD for HK$ 79M including premium by Sotheby's
Link to catalogue.
1831 Dao Guang seal
2011 SOLD for RMB 91M including premium by Poly
Link to post sale press release (not illustrated)
Jadeite Necklace
Intro
Jadeite exists in various colors. Green is a common color of jadeite when it contains chromium. The finest hues are Imperial green, intense green and vivid green. They come almost exclusively from Burma, currently Myanmar.
These green variants were the most precious jewels at the Qing imperial court, in the form of beads, cabochons and bangles, without superfluous embellishment. The history of the extraction of the stone is lost.
This mineral rock can be carved, which is not the case of the diamond which is cut. Shaping a jade bead requires an exceptional know-how and skill which culminated during the reign of Qianlong. In the 19th century the Empress Dowager Cixi was fond of them.
Despite the troubles in the China of the later Qing, the most important collections of jade beads were not mixed or separated. They have often been assembled, or re-assembled, into necklaces in the 20th century, with gently graduated bead sizes and with clasps in diamond or ruby. A perfect necklace must be uniform in color shade, in translucency and in texture, which requires that the elements have been carved from the same rough.
Except otherwise stated, the prices below include the premium.
These green variants were the most precious jewels at the Qing imperial court, in the form of beads, cabochons and bangles, without superfluous embellishment. The history of the extraction of the stone is lost.
This mineral rock can be carved, which is not the case of the diamond which is cut. Shaping a jade bead requires an exceptional know-how and skill which culminated during the reign of Qianlong. In the 19th century the Empress Dowager Cixi was fond of them.
Despite the troubles in the China of the later Qing, the most important collections of jade beads were not mixed or separated. They have often been assembled, or re-assembled, into necklaces in the 20th century, with gently graduated bead sizes and with clasps in diamond or ruby. A perfect necklace must be uniform in color shade, in translucency and in texture, which requires that the elements have been carved from the same rough.
Except otherwise stated, the prices below include the premium.
1
Qing and 1933 - The Barbara Hutton Necklace
2014 SOLD for HK$ 214M by Sotheby's
The prestige of jade reached the Western world. A lot of 27 highly reflective emerald green jadeite beads, between 15.4 and 19.2 mm in diameter, is included in 1933 in the inventory of Cartier.
It is mounted in the same year by Cartier as a necklace with a clasp in ruby and diamond, to be offered as a wedding gift to the wealthy Barbara Hutton by her father. As Christina Onassis later, Barbara Hutton had a difficult life. The husband's family kept the precious necklace.
Considered as the greatest jadeite necklace in existence, this jewel wins the highest auction price in its category each time it comes to auction : HK $ 15.6M in 1988 and HK $ 33M in 1994. It was sold for HK $ 214M by Sotheby's on April 7, 2014, lot 1847. It had been estimated in excess of HK $ 100M.
It is mounted in the same year by Cartier as a necklace with a clasp in ruby and diamond, to be offered as a wedding gift to the wealthy Barbara Hutton by her father. As Christina Onassis later, Barbara Hutton had a difficult life. The husband's family kept the precious necklace.
Considered as the greatest jadeite necklace in existence, this jewel wins the highest auction price in its category each time it comes to auction : HK $ 15.6M in 1988 and HK $ 33M in 1994. It was sold for HK $ 214M by Sotheby's on April 7, 2014, lot 1847. It had been estimated in excess of HK $ 100M.
2
Imperial Green Jadeite Necklace
2020 SOLD for HK$ 81M by Sotheby's
The Imperial green is slightly more yellow than other emerald greens, without other secondary hues. The best gems have a similar saturation, translucency, inner luminosity and surface smoothness. It is named Type A jadeite jade by the gemologists.
A necklace of jadeite beads was sold for HK $ 81M by Sotheby's on July 10, 2020, lot 1808.
It is composed of 37 jadeite beads of highly translucent brilliant emerald green that meets the characteristics of the Imperial green. Its largest bead is approximately 13.69 mm. The clasp is set with a cabochon ruby surrounded by diamonds. Its length is about 50 cm.
A necklace of jadeite beads was sold for HK $ 81M by Sotheby's on July 10, 2020, lot 1808.
It is composed of 37 jadeite beads of highly translucent brilliant emerald green that meets the characteristics of the Imperial green. Its largest bead is approximately 13.69 mm. The clasp is set with a cabochon ruby surrounded by diamonds. Its length is about 50 cm.
+
Other results
On October 7, 2020, Sotheby's sold as lot 1662 for HK $ 63M a necklace composed of 43 Imperial green jadeite beads from 13.00 to 11.26 mm weighing a total of 630 carats. The beads are in a highly translucent brilliant emerald green that meets the characteristics of the Imperial green. The clasp is set with diamonds. The necklace is about 53 cm long.
On April 7, 2010, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 43M as lot 1457 a necklace 53 cm long, assembled with 35 jadeite beads, selected for their homogeneous vivid green color and for their similar size, between 12.5 and 15 mm. This piece is equipped with a clasp in platinum and diamonds signed by Cartier.
On October 7, 2013, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 43M a set of two homogeneous necklaces with an amazing total of 254 emerald green jadeite beads. It had been estimated HK$ 22M. The size of jade beads ranged between 3.5 and 10 mm and the length of the necklaces was 76 and 80 cm.
On October 6, 2019, Poly sold for HK $ 25M before fees as lot 2133 a necklace of 25 vivid green beads from 16.80 to 17.82 mm. The catalog indicates a high crystalline density and a homogeneous and saturated color with high translucency. The small dispersion of the dimensions is remarkable.
On April 20, 2021 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sold a composite jewel for HK $ 23.4M, lot 1765. This necklace 70 cm long is based on of 47 Type A intense green jadeite beads of very good translucency and decorated with dividers in four highly translucent brilliant emerald green jadeite hoops linked by rubies, completed by a clasp centered on an oval diamond weighing 2.02 carats. The jadeite beads are between 10.95 and 11.95 mm. Each of the jadeite hoops is around 17.7 x 5.1 x 5.3 mm.
A necklace of 47 intense green beads from 10.48 to 12.02 mm passed at Sotheby's on October 7, 2019 from a lower estimate of HK $ 25M, lot 1803.
On April 7, 2010, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 43M as lot 1457 a necklace 53 cm long, assembled with 35 jadeite beads, selected for their homogeneous vivid green color and for their similar size, between 12.5 and 15 mm. This piece is equipped with a clasp in platinum and diamonds signed by Cartier.
On October 7, 2013, Sotheby's sold for HK $ 43M a set of two homogeneous necklaces with an amazing total of 254 emerald green jadeite beads. It had been estimated HK$ 22M. The size of jade beads ranged between 3.5 and 10 mm and the length of the necklaces was 76 and 80 cm.
On October 6, 2019, Poly sold for HK $ 25M before fees as lot 2133 a necklace of 25 vivid green beads from 16.80 to 17.82 mm. The catalog indicates a high crystalline density and a homogeneous and saturated color with high translucency. The small dispersion of the dimensions is remarkable.
On April 20, 2021 in Hong Kong, Sotheby's sold a composite jewel for HK $ 23.4M, lot 1765. This necklace 70 cm long is based on of 47 Type A intense green jadeite beads of very good translucency and decorated with dividers in four highly translucent brilliant emerald green jadeite hoops linked by rubies, completed by a clasp centered on an oval diamond weighing 2.02 carats. The jadeite beads are between 10.95 and 11.95 mm. Each of the jadeite hoops is around 17.7 x 5.1 x 5.3 mm.
A necklace of 47 intense green beads from 10.48 to 12.02 mm passed at Sotheby's on October 7, 2019 from a lower estimate of HK $ 25M, lot 1803.
