Nephrite Jade Butterflies. Nephrite consists of a microcrystalline interlocking fibrous matrix of the calcium, magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite (calcium-magnesium)-ferroactinolite (calcium-magnesium-iron). The middle member of this series with an intermediate composition is called actinolite (the silky fibrous mineral form is one form of asbestos). The higher the iron content, the greener the colour.
Nephrite can be found in a creamy white form (known in China as “mutton fat” jade) as well as in a variety of light green colours. Reference: Wikipedia
Butterfly 17th century China The butterfly is usually associated with joy and weddings, but as its name (hudie) is a pun for “age seventy to eighty,” it is also a symbol for longevity.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Nephrite and diamond necklace (Collana in nefrite e diamanti) Designed as a a butterfly, body and feelers set with diamond briolette, the nephrite wings decorated on the reverse with a rose- and circular-cut diamond pavé-set to a chain enhanced with briolette diamonds, length approximately 260mm, gross weight approximately 15 grams. (Disegnata come una farfalla, il corpo e le antenne decorate con diamanti briolette, le ali in nefrite decorate sul retro con diamanti di taglio a rosa e circolare, sospesa ad una catena impreziosita con diamanti briolette, lunghezza approssimativa 260mm, peso approssimativo 15 grammi.)
Sold for 1,958 EUR at Sotheby’s in 2018
A white nephrite melon form snuff bottle 1750-1830 Naturalistically carved as a lobed melon, with leaves, tendrils, a butterfly and a smaller melon wrapping around the body, the interior well-hollowed, the exterior accented with a russet patch. 2 5/8in (6.2cm) high
Sold for US$ 12,500 (£ 10,137) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2016
A NEPHRITE CARVING The two-coloured semi-translucent material, well carved as a pale celadon blossoming orchid issuing from a dark brown rock, with two light brown butterflies perched on its leaf and stalk, to the carved wooden stand, nephrite carving 20.7 cm high
Sold for HKD 168,000 at Christie’s in 2005
Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade & Wood Box, carved butterfly (19th Century), light celadon 3″ wide, 2 3/8″ tall inset in carved wooden hinged box measuring 6″ x 4 1/4″, 2 1/4″.
Sold for $275 at Richard D. Hatch & Associates in 2018
A FINE HARDSTONE CASKET WITH BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES Russian, Ekaterinburg, Imperial Lapidary Works, early 20th century Of rectangular form. The hinged lid set with malachite, rhodonite, nephrite. 23.9 cm long.
Sold for €1,300 at Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen Düsseldorf in 2018
