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ID #SA1232283
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£3,950
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Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €4,622     $5,017
£3,950
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 217 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

18th century
Description

Imperial-Style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

An exceptional 18th-century Chinese nephrite jade carving of a water bird, sculpted from a luminous pale celadon stone with natural russet inclusions, dating to the height of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.

Anatomical & Carving Details:

The Beak & Mouth: The bird delicately grasps a stylized lotus stem and leaf emerging from beneath its breast, creating a smooth, fluid connection that frames the lower neck.

The Wings: Sculpted in pronounced, multi-plane high relief, the wings wrap dynamically over the flanks, detailed with crisp, finely etched parallel feather hatching that creates a striking textural contrast against the smooth body.

The Body & Finish: The head and back feature a high, glossy polish with rounded, tactile volumes, while the base and underside are cleanly finished, seamlessly incorporating the natural russet skin of the jade.

Condition: Very good.

Weight: 139 grams

Length: 12.5 cm

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Physical Dimensions
Width
12.5cm (4.92")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Celadon Jade Bird Carving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232283
Description
Imperial-Style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

An exceptional 18th-century Chinese nephrite jade carving of a water bird, sculpted from a luminous pale celadon stone with natural russet inclusions, dating to the height of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.

fig 1. A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
fig 1. Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

Anatomical & Carving Details:

“
The Beak & Mouth: The bird delicately grasps a stylized lotus stem and leaf emerging from beneath its breast, creating a smooth, fluid connection that frames the lower neck.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 2. A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
fig 2. Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

The Wings: Sculpted in pronounced, multi-plane high relief, the wings wrap dynamically over the flanks, detailed with crisp, finely etched parallel feather hatching that creates a striking textural contrast against the smooth body.

fig 3. A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
fig 3. Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

The Body & Finish: The head and back feature a high, glossy polish with rounded, tactile volumes, while the base and underside are cleanly finished, seamlessly incorporating the natural russet skin of the jade.

Condition: Very good.

Weight: 139 grams

Length: 12.5 cm

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Width
12.5cm (4.92")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Celadon Jade Bird Carving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232283
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
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Archive I A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.

Imperial-style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)

Archive II A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View II
Archive III A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View III
Archive IV A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View IV
Archive V A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View V
Archive VI A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View VI
Archive VII A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View VII
Archive VIII A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View VIII
Archive IX A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View IX
Archive X A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 217
Items Sold 88
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
217
Sold
88
A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
Imperial-Style Celadon Jade Water Bird Scholar’s Carving, Qianlong Period (18th Century)
Ref: SA1232283
A carved celadon jade figure depicting a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDecorative Carvings
  • Period18th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialCeladon Jade
  • ColourPale Green
  • MotifsIncised feather detailing, Resting waterfowl pose, Stem held in beak
  • SizeW 12.5 cm (5 in)

This imperial-style decorative carving takes the form of a resting water bird holding a leafy stem in its beak, created in the Qing Dynasty style during the 18th century. The piece is sculpted from a luminous pale green nephrite jade with natural russet inclusions, finished with a high, glossy polish on the head and back, crisp etched feather hatching on the wings, and natural russet skin incorporated into the underside. Measuring 12.5 cm wide, the solid stone figurine sits compactly on a flat surface. Designed for a gentleman's library or office desk, this decorative object serves as a traditional scholar's accessory. The tactile volumes and smooth finish invite handling, while the flat base allows steady placement on a writing desk, bookcase, or display shelf alongside other works of art. The pale celadon colour and natural stone variations bring subtle organic tones to a traditional or contemporary interior space without overwhelming surrounding decor.

FAQs

In Chinese culture, jade carvings of water birds traditionally symbolised fidelity, peace, and harmony. During the Qing dynasty, jade carving reached a peak of technical execution, with scholars placing these refined objects on their desks as symbols of status and contemplation.

Traditional Chinese jade carvings were sculpted from nephrite or jadeite using specialized hand tools, abrasives such as quartz sand, and water. Artisans utilised the natural contours, striations, and colour inclusions of the raw stone to guide the final anatomical shape and decorative features.

Authentic Qing dynasty jade carvings typically display subtle hand-carved tool marks, a soft lustre from historic hand-polishing techniques, and natural internal inclusions rather than uniform clarity. Examining the undercut carving detail, smooth tactile wear, and anatomical proportions helps distinguish period pieces from modern reproductions.

A small jade scholars carving functions well as a understated accent piece on an executive desk, a low display shelf, or alongside books on a curated library display. Positioning the object near ambient lighting highlights the natural translucency and surface contours of the polished stone.

Clean jade carvings using a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a mild, pH-neutral soap. Avoid harsh chemical solvents, ultrasonic cleaners, and extreme temperature fluctuations that could compromise structural integrity or disturb delicate surface detail.
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