Adam's Fine Asian Art Preview 23 November 2021

www.adams.ie 39 Preview Asian Art |23 rd November 2021 A CELADON GLAZED RUYI SHAPED BRUSH WASHER CHINA, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG MARK AND POSSIBLY OF THE PERIOD Finely potted and shaped as a fungus of immortality or as a head of a scepter, all covered with a delicate light celadon glaze, the footrim left unglazed, the below inscribed with a cobalt blue four-character seal / zhuanshu mark of Emperor Qianlong. H: 2,5 cm – L: 6,8 cm – w: 5 cm €4,000 - 8,000 NOTES: 1. The rúyì ( 如意 ) is considered one of “The Eight Treasures”. It was a sceptre which represented power and authority. The head of the rúyì is similar to that of the lingzhi fungus, i.e. the fungus of immortality, as well as the lotus. The name “ruyi” is usually translated as “as you wish” or “in accordance with your desires”. 2. For brush washers of ruyi shape carved out of jade and dating to the 18th century, see inter alia, Sotheby’s New York, The United States of America, 2021/03/17, lot 186 and Guardian Auction Hong Kong, China, 2017 Spring Auction, lot 1316.