Lavender Jade Carving

Lavender jadeite jade carving of children and dragon amid abundance cues of coin and bat.

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

The carving is a visual ‘flat lay’, the material three dimensional but appearing like two, using mixed techniques of bas and low relief.

Much of the material is preserved for color, this carving displays jadeite’s very softness, in outcomes of pastel.

The lack of openwork ensures a full consistency, a translucent serum of lilac and pink, weaving together lavender.

Lavender and in general soft hues of jadeite will vary widely through tone-light diffusion, hence display differently under different lighting conditions.

Nevertheless, the jadeite is finely textured, but feels oleaginous and hence described as more ‘oily’ than ‘jelly’.

Specifically, in describing jadeite, this ‘oily’ ( 糕 ) disposition is distinguished from ‘glutinous’ ( 糯 ); it shines as if a glossy lard.

The ‘yu long’ dragon fish is a creature of domestic bliss, as are the fountain of coin and ingot, ruyi leafy spray, and bat pair, symbols around a flow of water/wealth.

The bats at the crown are the sole spot of green, a lilting note of joy above a beige tinted gourd and super cherubic faces.

To evoke a dreamy palette through a familiar ‘everyday’ scene, this expression is unexpected, almost unusual.

Its wooden base continues the wave theme, the whole ornament an apparent flat lay that makes a singular exercise in jade carvings.

Jade lovers would pursue this for the collectibility of peculiar texture and color tone.

Philosophically, the carving is an instance where sentimentality (symbolism) moves in direct opposite to sentiment (perception), concrete versus soft.

This realisation elevates the folk carving to a scholarly expression, on par with a watercolor painting with exuberant white space.

As light permeates this kind of softly-hued jadeite differently in natural and indoor conditions, however one imagine this carving to look – it is more.

The jadeite carving measures 21.5 x 12.5 x 2.8 cm.

The whole ornament measures 27 x 14.5 x 6 cm.