Scu, China, carving, jade

Scu, China, carving, jade

White jade, carved in the form of a lotus flower.

Wells bequest

Bequeathed by Arthur Wells, accessioned in 1882. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.

Craig Clunas 29/04/1985: Compare the very similiar white jade brushwasher in the form of a lotus leaf excavated, along with the other jade items from the tomb of Shi Shengzu (1191-1274) at Quzhou, Zhejiang province in 1974. See Quzhou shi wenguanhui, 'Zhejiang Quzhou shi nan Song mu chutu qiwu', Kaogu 1983.11, 1004-1011, 1018; fig 2:4 and plate 6:2. On the basis of this comparison a tentative southern Song date may be ascribed to this piece.
Craig Clunas 27/06/1986: Further supporting evidence is the treatment of the veining on a small carving of a fish and lotus leaf of Jin date, excavated in Heilongjiang. See WW 1977.4 pl. 7.3.
Craig Clunas 25/09/1987: Compare 1857-1888, a smaller but similar brushwasher of grey-green jade with brown markings. Note in particular the single line incising of veins on the upper side of the leaf, and double vein incising on the lower. See 1513-1902 for a small jade figure or fan weight of arguably comparable date.

This water dropper was a writing accessory. Each time a Chinese scholar performed a writing task he would produce ink by grinding an ink cake, adding a small amount of water until the ink reached the desired density.

1623&A-1882