Hand-Carved Green Jade Plum | Chinese Botanical Study

- Length: 12.8 cm
- Width: 7.2 cm

- Very Good - This item is in very good vintage condition, retaining its high-lustre polish and structural integrity.
- There is a small missing tip on one of the carved leaves where the stone has broken off.
- In the world of botanical hardstone carving, minor "nicks" or natural irregularities are often viewed as part of the piece’s history and do not detract from its beauty; it aligns with the artist's theme of natural realism and the cycle of life.
- The wire binding remains tight and secure, and the primary plum carving is free of any structural cracks or deep surface scratches.

1. Design & Key Features
- Anatomical Realism: The sculpture features a masterfully carved longitudinal suture, the natural "seam" found on stone fruits, which gives the piece a lifelike, three-dimensional profile.
- Organic Imperfections: A deliberate "bruise" or indentation is carved into the side of the plum, capturing the fruit at its natural peak of ripeness rather than as a generic, idealised shape.
- Multi-Tonal Foliage: The arrangement includes five serrated leaves. Four are carved from translucent green stone to mimic fresh growth, while one is an opaque earth-brown, representing a leaf in its natural state of transition.
- Strategic Translucency: The carving utilises the stone's density to create a glowing effect; the leaves and the base of the plum are thin enough to be translucent, while the "shoulders" remain opaque and solid.
- Textural Depth: The natural mineral inclusions within the hardstone create a speckled surface, mimicking the delicate "bloom" or waxy skin of a real green plum.

2. Materials & Build Quality
- Authentic Hardstone: Carved from a substantial, weighty green stone—likely Nephrite Jade or Bowenite—which provides a signature "cold-to-the-touch" feel and significant presence on a shelf or desk.
- Artisan Stemwork: The fruit is attached to a textured, woody metal branch.
- Traditional Binding: The components are secured using a classic blue-tinted wire silk-wrapping technique, a hallmark of traditional lapidary assembly that adds a subtle touch of colour to the stem.

3. Uses & Versatility
- Traditionally used as a "paperweight" or focal point on a scholar’s desk to provide inspiration and a calming presence during work.
- At 12.8 cm, it is large enough to serve as a standalone centrepiece in a decorative bowl or as part of a high-end "Cabinet of Curiosities".
- Symbolic Gift: In Chinese culture, the plum is a revered symbol of resilience and longevity, making this an ideal gift for housewarmings, graduations, or life milestones.

4. Care & Maintenance
- Handle by the Base: Always lift the object by the primary plum carving rather than the metal stem or the delicate leaves to avoid putting stress on the wire joints.
- Dry Dusting Only: Use a soft, natural-bristle brush (like a makeup or sable brush) to remove dust from the serrated leaf edges and wire crevices.
- Avoid Chemicals: Never use jewellery cleaners, ultrasonic baths, or harsh detergents, as these can damage the organic binding and the stone’s natural polish.
- Stable Environment: Keep the piece away from direct heat sources or extreme temperature fluctuations, which can cause the metal and stone to expand and contract at different rates.
- Light Exposure: While the stone is durable, prolonged exposure to intense, direct sunlight can occasionally affect the dyed silk or wire coatings used in the stem assembly.