Adam's FINE ASIAN ART Part I 28th & Part II 29th June 2022

Fine Asian Art | 28-29 & 30 June 2022 41 Additional information and photographs for all lots can be found at www.adams.ie 39 PROPERTIES FROM A FRENCH COLLECTOR OF JADE CARVINGS AND SNUFFBOTTLES A POSSIBLY SUZHOU AGATE GROUP CARVING OF A BOY RIDING A SEA-MONSTER WITH THE INSCRIPTION DÚZHÀN’ÁOTÓU - 独占鳌头 - GAIN THE FIRST RANK AT IMPERIAL EXAMINA- TIONS CHINA, MAYBE QING DYNASTY AND 18TH TO 19TH CENTURY This piece has been carved out of a mostly two-color agate, i.e. dark black and light brown with honey accents. It represents a young boy riding a swimming catfish and with further auspicious symbols such as a bound parcel of books and a double-gourd. It also has an inscription carved on its back reading ‘dúzhàn’áotóu’ (独占鳌头) , i.e. roughly ‘may you be ranked first at imperial examinations’. Offered at auction together with a matching collector wooden stand open-worked with crashing waves that perfectly matches the iconography. L: 4,7 cm Weight: 33,6 grams Provenance: Property from a French collector: a collection of jade and stone carvings and snuff bottles assembled over two dec- ades. Pieces either bought privately or at public auction. Notes: 1. The primary meaning of the inscription is ‘to stand alone on the head of the ao’ (occupying alone the sea-monster’s head). Though, it may be understood as a wish to be ranked first at the imperial examinations. 2. Compare with a small Suzhou agate openwork pendant adorned with a monkey and also bearing an inscription from the Lizzadro Collection, Chicago, USA, sold at CHRISTIE’S New York, USA, 2013-09-19, lot 1198, for USD 37,500. 苏州玛瑙玉雕组-骑海兽的童子 - 独占鳌头 中国，可能为清代，18-19世纪 € 3,000 - 5,000