B72

Glass, opaque white with a single overlay of dark olive green/brown, delicately carved with a flowering chrysanthemum and two cats chasing two butterflies, above is an inscription carved from the overlay; the reverse with Li Daipo, the legendary drunken poet, asleep beneath the crescent moon with birds perched on flowering prunus; each of the narrow sides with a table of fruit taking the place of mask and ring handles.

Chinese, Yangzhou school, 1800-1850
Stopper: Jadeite with glass finial
Provenance: Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 1974
Height: 6.7cm

The Yangzhou school, at its best, is a force to be reckoned with. Their ability to carve in a delicate and realistic style is legendary, portraying life in an idealistic manner, of special note are their portrayals of landscapes, animals, flowers and nature. This is a fine example; its delicacy of carving must rank among the higher echelons of this medium.

The word for cat (mao) is a homonym for age 70, and the word for butterfly (die) is a homonym for age 80, so cat and butterfly together form a rebus to express the wish that the recipient will have a long life. The chrysanthemum is the flower of autumn and symbol of long life and duration.