Lot 89
East Asia, China, Late Qing Dynasty to Republic, ca. 1900 to 1949 CE. A skillfully carved greenstone cabbage vessel delineated with myriad curling, sensually folding cabbage leaves, each one textured with striations and/or dotted patterns, as well as an endearing cricket crawling up the plant. Beyond this intriguing subject matter is the inherent beauty of the stone, presenting various shades of verdant green throughout. Size: 12.75" L x 7.5" W (32.4 cm x 19 cm)
There is a very good reason that cabbage is oftentimes used as a symbolic form in Chinese visual culture. Interestingly, the Chinese word for Napa cabbage is actually homophonous with the words "hundred" and "wealth" and this cruciferous vegetable is regarded as a sign of prosperity in China, believed to inspire hundreds of years of wealth and prosperity. During Chinese New Year celebrations, cabbage stuffed packages are given as symbols of good fortune and riches.
The cricket on this piece adds to its symbolic value, for while many cultures regard crickets as pests, in China the chirps of crickets have traditionally been beloved as music, and the cricket has been treated with the utmost respect for more than 2,000 years. What's more, historically crickets were used by farmers as symbols of the growing season. When they made their appearance each year, it was time to plant crops. When they vanished in the fall, it was time to harvest. Crickets were also symbolic of family size associated with success, as these insects lay hundreds of eggs prior to death, and centuries ago, large families were equated with prosperity.
Provenance: Ex-Private LA County collection acquired in the 1980's
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#119063
- Condition: A few losses to peripheries of leaves, one small hole through one leaf as shown. Lid to jar is sealed shut.
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