Although jade as such was the favourite stone of the Chinese, other precious stones were also very popular.
Tripod with lid 綠玉獅蓋三足香爐
Late Qing dynasty or early Republic (1912-1949)
CB-JC-1951-63
Jadeite. The lid is topped by a Buddhist lion.Oval vase with lid 水晶雕蓋瓶
Late Qing dynasty, circa 1880-1920
CB-JC-1926-103
Rock crystal. Colourless.Tripod with lid 灰白玉獅蓋三足香爐
Late Qing dynasty or early Republic (1912-1949)
CB-JC-1936-64
Jadeite. Buddhist lion playing with ribbons and balls. The former are often regarded as a sort of “lion’s egg”, containing the beast’s progeny.Four-lobed cup 灰白玉花盆
Late Qing dynasty or early Republic (1912-1949)
CB-JC-1932-13
Nephrite. This type of vessel is often called a narcissus bowl or bulb bowl.Snuff bottle 水晶鼻煙壺
Qing dynasty, circa 1750-1850
CB-TA-1964-340
Crystal with inclusions and pink tourmaline stopper. This type of stone inclusion is often called hair crystal. The finer the hair, the higher the quality of the snuff bottle.Snuff bottle 水晶鼻煙壺
Late Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
CB-TA-1964-287
Transparent rock crystal with green jadeite stopper. The Chinese term for crystal is “pure water” or “clear water”, shuijing 水晶.Small cup 綠玉小碗
Late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 19th c.
CB-JC-1929-141
Jade.Vase with lid 水晶雕蓋瓶
Late Qing dynasty, circa 1880-1920
CB-JC-1953-104
Rock crystal. Colourless.Six-lobed cup 水晶四足喜碗
Late Qing dynasty, circa 1880-1920
CB-JC-1950-106
Rock crystal. Colourless. A pair of open-winged butterflies, symbolising conjugal happiness, are depicted on the handles.Tripod 綠玉三足鼎
Late Qing dynasty or early Republic (1912-1949)
CB-JC-1920-59
Jadeite.