FINGER CITRON (BUDDHA'S HAND)
Period: Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911).Date: 18th to 19th century.
Medium: Nephrite jade.
Colour: Light green and russet.
Dimensions: H. 20 cm., W. 18 cm., D. 8 cm.
The carving is beautifully executed
showing a large and a small citron together. Each is hollowed out to
show the finger-like tendrils of the fruit twisting and curling. The thick rind of the fruit shows the rough pitted surface. A
cricket sits on the top -- crickets are much admired for their songs.
The citron belongs to the citrus
family. It is known by the Chinese name of foshou which
literally means “Buddha's Hand”. It is one of the “three
abundances” and symbolises happiness and longevity. The other two
are the peach and the pomegranite. The peach or tao symbolises
marriage, spring, justice and Daoist immortality. The
pomegranate or shiliu represents
fertility, offspring and descendants.
