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341 - CHINA, QIANLONG period (1736-1795) A celadon jade (nephrite)…
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Estimate €30,000 - €50,000
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Description
CHINA, QIANLONG period (1736-1795) A celadon jade (nephrite) "Yu zhu chang tiao" candlestick, the lower part in the shape of a vase surrounded by three stylised leaves supporting it and surmounted by a stem carved with stylised leaves. The upper part in the form of two poly-lobed leaves with the inscription "Yu zhu chang tiao, Qianlong nian zhi" in zhuanshu. (Slight chips; accidents). Height 24 cm (jade only) Wooden base with Yi mark NO LIVE BIDS FOR THIS LOT - No live bids for this lot. Please, contact our office du register. A deposit will be required. Please, contact our office du register. A deposit will be required. Provenance: French aristocratic collection built up by tradition at the end of the 19th century. The "Yu zhu chang tiao" nephrite pick-axe was an important ritual object in the imperial court of the Qing dynasty. From the reign of the Yongzheng emperor onwards, every year at New Year's Day, at the time of the zishi (midnight) of the first day of the New Year, the emperor lit the candles of the "Yu zhu chang tiao" candlestick in the Yangxin Palace. He then drank Tusu wine from the "Jin'ou Yong gu" cup, and wrote auspicious sayings to pray for a favourable New Year and harmony in government and among the people. This ritual is known as the "Ming chuang kai bi" ceremony (opening the brush in front of the luminous window). These rituals are depicted in two paintings kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing: Hongli Chuxi Xingletu (Qianlong in ancient costume during the New Year ceremony) and Suichao Xingletu (New Year Celebration). In the first painting, the Qianlong emperor is seated in the centre. A waiter is shown on the left, carrying a lit candlestick. According to the palace archives, this nephrite candlestick was made after the fifth year of the Qianlong emperor's reign (1740). Its shape corresponds almost exactly to that of the candlesticks depicted in the paintings Hongli Chuxi Xingletu and Suichao Xingletu. At present, only two comparable candlesticks are known: one is identical and is kept at the National Palace Museum in Taipei (故玉003208N000000000), while the other has a foot in the shape of stylised dragons and is kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing (故00100406). Expert : Alice JOSSAUME | Cabinet PORTIER & ASSOCIES Part II: 19 June 2026 - Chapter 3: Precious Chinese jades
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About the sale COLLECTIONS & CLASSIC WORKS - PART II
Auction location
Auction time 06/19/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/02/2026 at 7:53 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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