Jadeite Jade Ornaments Dragon Phoenix Bonsai

Jadeite jade carving of a dragon and phoenix ensemble linked by chain carving and piercing techniques.

This vintage carving is a 20th century work of art.

Distinguished by a svelte form that extends lengthwise and raised, you begin to see its bonsai-like organic canopy the more your eyes gaze at the carving.

This is a backdrop piece “built for places with spaces”, not immediately ornate as the three components are small, neat, and symbolic (auspicious).

The dragon and phoenix are carved in archaistic fashion, one more yin (slender), the other more yang (studier bodied), where both are carved to simulate the jade as strong enough to be bronze.

The yin and yang are joined by a ceremonial wine vessel, its ritualistic taotie mask charming with its spinning frontal ring, balanced by side handles delineated by two thicker donut rings.

Together with the delicate chains that link all three components, these rings and chains demonstrate the carver’s high level of craftsmanship and ingenuity.

The shape of each palm-sized carving relates from one to the next, branch to branch, its elegant ‘bonsai’ form is most striking when the carving is displayed without its pierced ‘cloud’ wooden backdrop (removable).

This cloud silhouette serves as a ‘screen’ to protect the carvings. Preference with or without the silhouette will depend on where the ornament is displayed, ie. room vs shelf.

The composition comes together when viewed from afar, not unlike a tree, intriguing with the jadeite’s emerald green ‘ruyi’ splotches crowned on their highest points.

The jadeite is clear and clearly more translucent in person than it looks as an ensemble – the individual components are small, beautiful, and auspicious.

Old Chinese carvings hand carved and slowly crafted in a different mindset era retain an archaistic tone without being decorous, however ceremonial – the more you observe the more form precedes all.

Specification:

– The base measures 54.5cm by 13cm and 39cm tall with the cloud screen.

– Dragon: 18 x 9 cm

– Vessel: 16 x 17 cm

– Phoenix: 15 x 5 cm