A pale green and russet jade 'prunus' brush washer


18th/19th centuryThe lobed pot formed as a large prunus flower, carved in openwork with branches bearing further smaller flowers, the stone of a pale celadon hue and with ochre inclusions, matching carved wood stand. 10cm (4in) wide (2).
|Provenance: according to family history, which is supported by family records illustrating the progress of British troops in Beijing at the time, this object was acquired by a military attaché posted to Beijing at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was attached to the staff of Brigadier-General A. Gaselee, the commander of the British contingent assisting in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion on behalf of the Imperial Court, as one of the Eight Allied Powers