China, Qing dynasty, late 18th - early 19th century. - Lot 134

China, Qing dynasty, late 18th - early 19th century. Provenance: French collection Celadon jade scholar's object representing a set of nine coloquintes (double gourds) at different stages of maturity. On the same branch, a main coloquinte is surrounded by eight smaller coloquintes. Butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, etc. have sometimes landed on the soft foliage and the surrounding foliage This subject reminds us of the quest for immortality which is at the heart of Taoist preoccupations. Indeed, gourds were used to preserve immortality potions and other elixirs essential to the transformation of the body (rot-proof in particular). In addition, the number 9 corresponds to immortality in China. H. 11.2 cm. (A small scroll is missing. The base is missing).