Ewer, with handle and spout, no lid, flower and leaf decoration carved in low relief, very pale greenish grey nephrite jade, with pierced and carved, brown wooden stand

A ewer of rounded cross section, with an integral spout and an opposing handle that has been carved and pierced in the form of a flower bud. The body narrows gently to a wide neck and it stands on a short, recessed foot that has been carved in low relief in the form of a flower, whose four curled petal tips form the foot rim. Fashioned in pale greenish grey nephrite jade and polished all over, the inside is smooth and the outside has been decorated with flowers and leaves, carved in low relief. There are a number of naturally occurring cracks , some of which are iron stained.
The pierced and carved brown, wooden stand is generally round but has a protrusion that gives it a more pear-shaped appearance.

This ewer has been carved from a single piece of nephrite jade which is a hard and durable material that requires skill and patience to work successfully, especially when cavities have to be formed to create vessels such as this. Additionally, the carving of an integral spout is particularly challenging. The combination of the material and the skilled craftsmanship would have meant that this ewer would have been made for a person of wealth or importance.

C.1797&A-1910