Lot 097 A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF BONE-CARVED AND POLYCHROME ‘CABBAGE AND INSECTS’ ORNAMENTS 20TH CENTURY

Description

A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF BONE-CARVED AND POLYCHROME ‘CABBAGE AND INSECTS’ ORNAMENTS
20TH CENTURY
二十世纪 骨雕彩绘“百财”昆虫纹摆件一对
MEASUREMENTS
L. 19.7 cm; 19.4 cm
7 ¾ in; 7 ⅝ in
ESTIMATE
USD 800 — 1,200
(HKD 6,200 — 9,400)
DESCRIPTION
The pair of ornaments is masterfully carved from bone, each meticulously shaped to resemble a lush head of cabbage with unfurling, translucent leaves. The artist has utilized sophisticated openwork (loukong) techniques to create a sense of organic depth and realism. Scattered across the crinkled foliage are various insects, including a grasshopper, a katydid, and a ladybug, each vibrantly rendered with lifelike precision. The naturalistic form is further enhanced by subtle polychrome painting, with delicate green and earthy tones that breathe life into the sculpture, creating a captivating trompe l’oeil effect. The two pieces are almost identical in scale, differing by only 0.3 cm in length, showcasing the artist’s remarkable control over the organic medium.
此对摆件以骨材为料，巧妙雕琢成两株生机盎然的白菜。工匠运用精湛的镂空雕刻技法，使得白菜叶片层叠舒展，脉络清晰，极具空间感。菜叶间点缀蚱蜢、螽斯及瓢虫等昆虫，神态各异，栩栩如生。作品辅以细腻的彩绘工艺，色调浓淡相宜，将昆虫的灵动与白菜的清鲜表现得淋漓尽致。这对摆件长度相仿（分别为19.7及19.4厘米），成对呈现，既展现了高超的写实技巧，更增添了对称之美与收藏价值。
CATALOGUE NOTE
In Chinese decorative arts, the cabbage (baicai) is a celebrated motif, serving as a clever homophone for “hundred types of wealth” (baicai), making it a quintessential symbol of burgeoning prosperity and abundance. This 20th-century pair of bone carvings pays homage to the legendary “Jadeite Cabbage” tradition, yet distinguishes itself through the warmth of its material and the intricate interplay of carving and color.
The inclusion of insects like the katydid (zhongsi) adds a layer of auspicious meaning, representing the wish for “numerous offspring and a flourishing lineage.” The delicate balance between the robust bone material and the fragile, airy openwork reflects the artist’s technical mastery. As a pair, these ornaments provide a balanced and harmonious aesthetic for a scholar’s desk or an elegant vitrine, embodying the timeless Chinese appreciation for the vitality and intricate beauty of the natural world.
在瓷器与玉雕传统中，“白菜”因与“百财”谐音，历来是祈求财富广进、百财聚来的吉祥象征。此对二十世纪骨雕作品通过骨材特有的质感，表现出白菜温润而写实的艺术效果。所雕之螽斯与蚱蜢，寓意“多子多孙、家族兴旺”。整件作品通过精细的镂空技法，打破了骨料的厚重感，营造出如真实植物般轻盈透明的视觉错觉。成对存世的骨雕白菜在市场上较为少见，其彩绘的点缀使其兼具清初写生画的意趣与现代工艺的繁缛美感，是象征家族兴旺与财源广进的绝佳陈设珍品。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: Both ornaments are in overall good condition. The delicate openwork and polychrome enamels remain well-preserved on both pieces. Minor natural drying cracks (age lines) consistent with the organic nature of bone.
• 状况： 成对品相良好。镂空雕刻细节及彩绘色彩均保存完整。见少量骨材特有的自然干裂纹（笑纹），符合此类有机材质之年代特征。