A pale green and russet jade 'Five Poisons' vessel and cover, Ming dynasty

Collection of Malcolm Barnett.

Anthony Carter Ltd., London.

Arts from the Scholar's Studio, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 206.

Magic, Art and Order, Jade in Chinese Culture, Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, 1990, cat. no. 103.

Naturalism and Archaism: Chinese Jades from the Kirknorton Collection, Carter Fine Art Ltd., London, 1995, cat. no. 60.

The present lot is particularly notable for its charming depiction of the Five Poisons (wudu), a motif closely associated with the ancient customs of the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu), celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Traditionally regarded as a season when oppressive heat and humidity encouraged the spread of disease and venomous creatures, the festival gave rise to a range of protective practices intended to ward off evil and illness. Images of the five poisonous creatures: snake, scorpion, toad, centipede, and gecko (or lizard), were employed as powerful apotropaic symbols, often accompanied by auspicious herbs such as mugwort and calamus, believed to possess protective and purifying properties.