Jade Featured in Mid-May Auctions

Lyon & Turnbull, 16-18 Paddington Street London W1U 5AS

May 16, 4.00 pm

- White Jade 'Dragon' Vase. Carved in high relief with a sinuous three-clawed dragon clambering around the neck in pursuit of the flaming ball, above a wide taotie mask band carved in low relief around the flattened pear-shaped body. 12.3cm high. Estimate: £15,000-25,000 ($ 20,999 - $ 34,998)

- Fine White Jade Censer and Cover. The globular body raised on three legs in the form of lion masks, flanked by a pair of dragon-head loop handles suspending loose rings and supporting two smaller kuilong dragons joined by an arched hanger. 13cm high. Estimate: £12,000-16,000 ($ 16,799 - $ 22,399)

For a slide show of many items follow this link.

On the same day beginning at 10 a.m., Sotheby's will hold a street sale so-called at 34-35 New Bond St, Mayfair, London W1A 2AA, UK, featuring items including:

- A Pale Celadon Jade 'Boy and Buffalo' Screen, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong/Jiaqing Period. Of rectangular form, deftly carved in relief to one side depicting a playful boy riding a water buffalo, the smoothly polished stone of a pale celadon color with russet streaks, wood stand. Quantity: 2. 21.2 cm, 8 3/8 in. Estimate: 15,000 — 20,000 GBP ($ 21,105 - $ 28,140)

- A Small Circular Spinach-Green Jade Box and Cover. Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period. With a domed cover and slightly concave base, the central circular panel of the cover enclosing a stylized lotus surrounded by blooming branches laden with peaches and pomegranates. Quantity: 2. 7.5 cm, 3 in. Estimate: 15,000 — 20,000 GBP ($ 21,105 - $ 28,140)

You will find a slideshow by following this link.

Information courtesy Blouin ArtInfo.

Museum Heist of Jade Objects May Have Been "To Order"

The theft of a number of culturally priceless artifacts of jade and gold from a British museum has the look of being done on order, meaning a collector was behind it, or perhaps a broker who knows of a clandestine buyer. It is thought that this may often be the case in art thefts where the loot is destined for display in secret hidden galleries shared only by the buyer or close pals. Here is the story so far...(link).

A Contemplative Spirit

See more in my Etsy shop, link here.

Spinach Green Jade Table Screen at Christie's

A March 22 sale at Christie's New York will feature - A Superb Well-Carved Spinach-Green Jade Circular Table Screen from Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Size 8 ½ in. (21.7 cm.) diameter. Estimate: US$ 100,000 - US$ 150,000 ...  and many other Chinese treasures. See the press release here.

Various Jade Objects at Doyle March 19

- "Chinese Pale Green Jade Figure of a Meiren" - Qing Dynasty; the kneeling figure shown wearing long robes and flowing scarves, her hair elaborately dressed with ornaments, one hand raised as if adjusting her hair and the other hand holding a mirror. Measured at Height 4 7/8 inches. Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000. For the full story click here.

177 Jade Products at International Show in Hong Kong

Click here to see pictures of the various jade jewelry offers at the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show.

An Excellent Feature Article on Burma Jadeite

Sold for $9.3-million

This link will take you to part two of an excellent feature article on Burma jadeite compiled by several experts in the field. The first part was, to me, very interesting but nowhere near as informative as this part. It covers how Burmese jadeite is mined, traded, graded, cut, faked and, as finished gems, sold at prices ranging into millions of dollars.