Jade Gu 青白玉觚

Size: 19cm x 9cm x 20cm
 
Shape Characteristics: This jade artifact is an intricately carved jade gu (a ritual vessel), with a flared, trumpet-like shape, a slightly constricted waist, and a broader base. It features symmetrical dragon-shaped handles on both sides and central relief carvings of dragons and clouds. This form, inspired by ancient bronze gu vessels, is commonly seen in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912 CE), particularly from the mid to late Qing period, when jade craftsmanship was highly refined, and archaic forms were popular.
Material and Coloration: The jade gu is made of white jade, displaying a warm, milky white hue with localized brown staining, consistent with the characteristics of Hetian white jade. Qing dynasty jade artifacts often used Hetian jade, and natural staining is common due to long-term storage or burial.
Craftsmanship: The carving technique is exceptionally fine, particularly the dragon-shaped handles and the relief cloud-dragon motifs, showcasing advanced openwork and relief carving skills. Such techniques were prominent in Qing dynasty jade artifacts, where artisans excelled at creating archaic-inspired objects with intricate decorative elements.
Dragon Motifs: The central part of the jade gu features relief carvings of dragons, with dragon-shaped handles on both sides. The dragon heads are detailed with distinct scales, symbolizing power and auspiciousness, a common animal motif in Qing jade artifacts.
Cloud Motifs: Surrounding the dragons are flowing cloud patterns, with curling shapes that add a sense of ethereal movement, consistent with the cloud-and-mist motifs often seen in Qing jade artifacts, reflecting Daoist cultural influences.
Openwork Patterns: The dragon handles and base edges feature openwork designs with continuous geometric cutouts, enhancing the object’s lightness and decorative appeal, a technique frequently used in Qing jade artifacts.
The overall design is intricate yet symmetrical, with meticulous attention to detail, aligning with the Qing dynasty’s aesthetic preference for ornate and auspicious symbolism.
The jade gu’s decorations primarily include “dragon motifs,” “cloud motifs,” and “openwork geometric patterns,” all typical of Qing dynasty jade artifacts, symbolizing power, auspiciousness, and ethereal beauty.
 
這件玉器是一尊雕刻精美的玉觚（gu），呈喇叭形，口沿外撇，腰部略收，底部略寬，兩側有對稱的龍形耳，中央有立體雕刻的龍紋和雲紋。這類玉觚的形制受到古代青銅觚的影響，常見於清代（公元1644年至1912年），特別是清中期至晚期，當時玉器製作工藝極為精湛，仿古器形流行。
材質與色澤：玉觚使用白玉製作，呈現溫潤的乳白色，局部有褐色沁色，這與和田白玉的特徵相符。清代玉器多使用和田玉，且常因長期存放或埋藏而出現自然沁色。
製作工藝：玉觚的雕刻技術非常精細，尤其是龍形耳和立體雲龍紋，顯示出高超的鏤空雕和浮雕技藝。這種技藝在清代玉器中尤為突出，清代玉工擅長製作仿古器物，並融入繁複的裝飾元素。
龍紋：玉觚中部有立體雕刻的龍紋，龍形耳位於兩側，龍首細緻，鱗片分明，象徵權力和吉祥，這是清代玉器中常見的動物紋。
雲紋：龍紋周圍伴有流動的雲紋，呈捲曲狀，增添仙氣和動感，與清代玉器中常見的雲氣紋相符，反映道教文化影響。
鏤空紋：兩側的龍形耳和底部邊緣有鏤空設計，呈連續的幾何形開窗，增加器物的輕盈感和裝飾性，這是清代玉器中常見的技法。
玉觚整體設計繁複但不失對稱，注重細節的精緻處理，符合清代玉器的審美風格，強調華麗與吉祥寓意。
玉觚的紋飾主要包括「龍紋」、「雲紋」和「鏤空幾何紋」，這些都是清代玉器的典型特徵，象徵權力、吉祥與仙氣。