A RARE AND FINELY CARVED YELLOW JADE 'ABSTINENCE' PLAQUE

18TH/19TH CENTURY

细节

A RARE AND FINELY CARVED YELLOW JADE 'ABSTINENCE' PLAQUE
18TH/19TH CENTURY
Well carved as two confronted dragons, their bodies formed by archaistic scroll framing an oval cartouche at the center with two characters reading zhai jie, the reverse similarly inscribed in Manchu, pierced through the center on the narrow sides, the semi-translucent stone of even yellow tone with some black inclusions at the bottom
2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) high

来源

Acquired in Hong Kong in 1986.

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拍品专文

Zhai jie is the ceremonial requirement for abstinence before one worshipped their ancestors, the Heavens or other deities, which usually lasted for three days. During this time, one should refrain from eating meat and fragrant herbs such as onions, chives, garlic and the like, consuming alcohol, and from any intimate acts.

It is rare to find an abstinence plaque carved from yellow jade. However, plaques in other media are known. See S. Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, p. 424-5, no. 139, for an abstinence plaque in bamboo veneer. A famille rose-decorated porcelain example dated 18th/19th century was sold in these rooms, 19 September 2007, lot 432.