Greyish green jade openwork boulder

Usually in the shape of a columnar block, this type of jade covered a wide range of subjects, such as rocks, figures, birds, insects, fish, flowers, etc. The flat base was perforated to accommodate an attachment. The fashion for jade accessories, having started in the late Song, was very much in vogue in the Yuan and Ming periods. While smaller pieces were attached to hats, bigger and heavier blocks, like the one here, were used as knobs for incense burners.

A small portion of the unpolished stone surface is retained in this greyish green jade. Carved in openwork, the sculpture narrows down towards the base. A rocky mountain forms the background composition. A recessing flaming halo in the higher relief occupies the center of the obverse side. An immortal in long robe emerges, standing with hands folded. To his left, two men bow with joined hands. In addition, there is a waterfall on the left side. At the lower right bottom of the reverse side, which is mostly flat, the plain yellowish stone surface accommodates a big tree and two monkeys. Two rams can be seen under the tree, one looking upwards at the energetic monkeys. On the flat base a hole was drilled ready for an attachment.