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The Ch'ien-lung Emperor's fascination with "Hindustan jades" enhanced the value of Islamic jades from the Sinkiang region, which led to an influx of "Hindustan jades" into the court as tribute from Ch'ing officials in Sinkiang and in the capital. This demonstrated the extent to which the "Islamic style" was fashionable in the jade market during the late Ch'ien-lung reign. By 1778, according to records, there were already craftsmen from South China who established workshops and studios in the Yarkand region, taking commissions from Ch'ing officials in Sinkiang and selling freely on the Chinese market. Additionally, there were Uighur jade workers joining the ranks of forgers, who made thick works with a duller, matte sheen.
The "Half Gourd Cup" on display is an example of a copy of an Indian jade. Compared to its original, its body is less proportioned with a rather stiff delineation of the ram's neck that lacks subtlety. The "Aubergine Cup" and the "Round Jade Plate" are samples of Turkish jade replicas. The former has a pod-shaped ring foot, and the latter displays an attempt to replicate the characteristics of the shallow scooping technique but without gouging out the petals.
The Ch-ien-lung Emperor was completely unaware of the existence of forgeries that were sent along with genuine jade pieces from Sinkiang. Thus, forgers became increasingly daring; some jade cups were even made with traditional Chinese ring ornaments on their handles.
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Half Gourd Cup with Ram's Head
Muslim Border Regions
Length: 13.1 cm, width: 8.6 cm, height: 4.7 cm
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Censer with Two Floral Handles
Muslim Border Regions
Width: 20.3 cm, height: 8.5 cm |
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