White jade plaque ‘Garden and poem’, Qing dynasty

Hetian white jade ‘子岗牌’ Zigang plaque of white jade, with subtle reddish-golden flecks and a smooth, even finish. It has a rectangular shape and a thin trimmed rim in the upper area, adorned by a dense sky of ruyi clouds and pierced in the centre, from which hangs a cord adorned with a red stone. 

These plaques were very popular during the Ming-Qing era as a decorative addition to clothing, used only by the most influential people. The most common themes used to decorate such items were landscapes, flowers and birds, figures and animals. In this case, a scene is depicted in a small garden, with three figures under a large tree. The opposite side is decorated with poems and the seal ‘Zigang’.  

These plaques are named after the master jade carver Lu Zigang (子岡) who left his seal on each work. 

With custom-made box

Size: 6.1 x 0.9 x 4 cm 

Weight: 67 g

References:

- Sotheby's ‘Chinese Art’, Hong Kong, 28/11/2018, lot 455