Published:
1. Jean-Paul Desroches (ed.) et al, The Beginning of the World. Dragons, Phoenix and Other Chimera, Fondation Baur, Geneva, 2020, p. 229-230, no. 158.
2. Jean-Paul Desroches (ed.) et al, Two Americans in Paris. A Quest for Asian Art, Paris, 2016, p. 88-89, no. 186.

Exhibited:
1. Fondation Baur, The Beginning of the World - According to the Chinese. Dragons, Phoenix and Other Chimera, Geneva, 11 November 2020-23 May 2021.
2. Musée Départemental des Arts Asiatiques, The Beginning of the World - According to the Chinese. Dragons, Phoenix and Other Chimera, Nice, Summer 2021.
3. Pointe-à-Callière Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Montréal, 17 November 2016-19 March 2017.
4. Kimbell Art Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Fort Worth, Texas, 4 March-19 August 2018.

China, 206 BC-220 AD. The shallow bowl is supported on a low circular foot and incised around the well and exterior sides with a band of delicate vines. The mouth is encircled by a dragon, chilong, and phoenix rendered in bold openwork. The stone is a pale celadon tone with russet, beige, and dark brown shadings, veining, and areas of calcification.

Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, signs of weathering, surface alterations, few tiny chips to exposed areas, little nibbling, and traces of prolonged burial.

Weight: 92.4 g
Dimensions: Length 13.9 cm

Chinese culture flourished during the Han dynasty, marked by the development of calligraphy and painting and the introduction of many new scholar's studio implements. Jade objects associated with the scholar's desk from this period include inkstone drip cups and brush screens. With its shallow interior and wide mouth, the present piece was likely used as a brush washer within a scholar's studio.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related celadon and russet basin with dragons and chilong, xi, 16.8 cm long, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, accession number 故00084133.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: China Guardian, Hong Kong, 2 October 2017, lot 374
Price: HKD 6,015,000 or approx. EUR 773,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A very rare white and russet jade brush washer with animal masks, Han dynasty (202 BC-AD220)
Expert remark: Compare the related form. Note the much smaller size (5.5 cm).