Antiques Roadshow’s Rarest Chinese Jades - Best Of.

This was given to me as a gift at the age of 10, and I won't say how long that was ago. I'm not gonna ask. It was purchased in New York at Park Burnet Galleries. I was told that the jade pieces came from a ceremonial belt, Chinese, and probably came into this country in the mid to late 19th century. The piece was commissioned to incorporate these pieces of jade at the Edward Farmer Studio in New York. Its white jade panels were once part of a Chinese ceremonial belt buried in a tomb centuries ago. The carved jade panels match on both sides, showing they originally belonged to a complete belt. Some panels carry the show symbol for good luck, while others feature dragons. The color and carving style point to skilled Chinese workmanship from the 16th century, and the pieces were likely removed from a tomb around the time of the Boxer Rebellion in the early 20th century. Now the box itself was later created in New York by Edward Farmer, one of the city's best-known designer goldsmiths. Working from the 1920s through the 1940s, he became famous for blending European luxury designs with Asian materials like jade and lacquer. This example stands out because it is made from 18-carat gold and includes mandarin beads taken from a necklace. The gold interior carries Edward Farmer's maker mark. This piece remains highly important because of its rarity, age, and craftsmanship. Well, in fact, this is worth, I would say, between $80,000 and $125,000. That's a lot of money. Yes, it is. After the Second World War, my husband came back from Germany, and then he was sent to Korea. Really? He was a chemist, and he was in charge of the chemical plants over there. A Korean wanted something American. I really cannot remember what it was. And he offered to trade my husband, whatever he gave him, American, for this jade collection. One of the most fascinating things about Chinese white jade is that Emperor Qianlong admired it so deeply that wealthy collectors across China began copying the objects made for his court. This collection includes finely carved white jade pieces, such as a bi-disc, a sensor, a brush washer, and an incense vase, all created during the 18th century in China. Also, the collection came to America after the Second World War through a trade made in Korea by a chemist overseeing chemical plants. Most of the jade likely came from mines in northwest China, an area famous for producing the soft white stone prized by the emperor. Interestingly, these carvings were made as scholars' objects and court treasures, carefully shaped from single pieces of jade and polished by hand. The delicate carving, smooth surface, and balanced forms show the level of skill found in imperial workshops during the Qianlong period. The most important pieces in the group are the bi-disc, the sensor, and the incense vase. Which would each bring, individually, between $10,000 to $15,000 at auction. The entire collection would bring, probably now because the market is really hot, $40,000 to $60,000 easily at auction. Wow. What a wonderful acquisition for trade. Wow. These are really terrific, beautifully carved examples from the reign of the Emperor Qianlong. That much? I'm so excited that you brought them in. My children will be very interested too because, as you know, eventually it'll be theirs. I'm really very, very pleased, astounded. My very favorite aunt gave this to me. She wore it every day. She gave it to me in about 2007. Growing up, I heard that her married lover gave it to her. And so my mother absolutely hated the piece. Upon her death, I read her diary and it stated that she found this piece at a jewelry store and went to the bank, asked for a loan, said, what will you loan me? I have no assets, but I have an honest face. And the bank officer loaned her $250. The necklace cost her, I believe, $257. So she did buy it herself. In 1957, a determined woman secured a bank loan to buy this necklace, and the jadeite on it is almost certainly untreated, something collectors highly value because many jade pieces were later dyed or chemically enhanced. This necklace combines a carved jadeite pendant, jade beads, seed pearls, tourmaline, and diamond accents, likely set in platinum. The clasp carries a Cartier stamp and serial number, confirming it as an authentic Cartier creation from the Art Deco period around 1920. However, many of the materials themselves, including the jade beads and pendant, are likely even older and date to the 19th century. Also, the jadeite almost certainly came from Burma and was probably carved there or in China before being transformed into a luxury Cartier design. The pendant shows soft white inclusions, a natural feature that slightly affects value, but also supports authenticity. Cartier became famous for blending Asian materials with European jewelry styles, especially during the Art Deco years. And this necklace is an excellent example of that craftsmanship. There's a consensus that in a retail setting, it would be $50,000. Really? Amazing. For an insurance value, $75,000. Speechless, just speechless. Chinese scholars' mountains like this were usually carved from nephrite jade, but something makes this one extremely unusual. This hand-carved sculpture was created in China during the 18th century for a scholar who valued nature, quiet thought, and learning. On one side, a seated scholar rests inside a grotto with two attendants beside him as they picnic near a small pagoda retreat in the mountains. When the piece is turned around, an ox appears in another grotto surrounded by pine trees. In Chinese symbolism, the ox represents enlightenment, while pine trees stand for long life. Notably, the entire scene was carefully carved in three dimensions and polished by hand. Objects like this were meant to help scholars imagine peaceful retreats far from busy city life. Because most scholars' mountains were made from jade rather than malachite, this example is far rarer than usual and especially desirable to collectors today. Its importance comes from the uncommon material, the fine carving, and the strong connection to Chinese scholar culture. This object would bring between $30,000 and $50,000 at auction. It's an extraordinary piece, absolutely a terrific find. About 20 years ago, I was at an auction. It was a storage and moving type of auction, and they had a few pieces on the table, and I happened to see this, and they went up for auction, and I purchased it for between $20 and $40. For 20 years, it's been sitting in my display cabinet, and I never knew anything about it. I believe that's jade. It has that cold touch to me. I'm not an expert. I don't know anything about jade, but I knew that it was jade. For centuries, Chinese collectors believed jade carried spiritual power, which is why finely carved jade vessels like this were treasured by elites and scholars. This nephrite jade vase was likely made during the transition from the Ming Dynasty into the Qing Dynasty, sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries. It has a strong rounded body with elegant S-curved handles near the top, pendant leaf designs around the lip and base, and an inner groove showing that it originally had a fitted cover. Also, the pale green stone contains natural clouded areas, brown streaks and fissures, all signs of genuine jade, rather than later imitations. Years of handling have created a soft surface patina. The carving was done completely by hand, and although there are no maker's marks, that is common for workshop pieces from this period. Even without its missing lid, the vase remains highly desirable because of its natural stone quality. At auction, I think it's not unreasonable to estimate this to sell in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. Really? That was a good $20 investment I made. Oh my God. If it had the lid, what would the value be? Would it increase the value? I think it would be reasonable to expect it to be in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. If it had the lid. It belonged to my mother-in-law and father-in-law. My father-in-law was the first consul general for the new country of the Republic of Korea in New York City. I don't know how it came into their possession, but they gave it to my husband, and when he died, it came to me. And what do you understand this to be? My best guess is it's a small, white jade rice bowl and plate or saucer. In China, pure white jade was considered one of the most luxurious materials a family could own, and only the wealthiest collectors could afford pieces with this level of color and quality. These objects include a shallow white jade dish and a small covered jade bowl. Although they were kept together for many years, they were actually made as separate pieces rather than as a matching set. The dish has a broad flat center with curved sides, a shape popular in China during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, while the bowl follows a similar traditional form. Now, closer study of the thin carving, low foot ring, and bright white tone suggests both pieces were likely made in the early 20th century rather than the 18th century. The jade was carefully carved and polished by hand from single stones. There are no visible rain marks or maker signatures. The objects later belonged to the family of one of the first Korean consuls in New York. Their importance today comes from the fine white jade and delicate carving. Wanna bet your guess about the value? Maybe $1,000? Well, I think it's worth a bit more than that. I believe that the two objects together are worth $15,000 to $25,000 at auction. Oh, my heavens. That is stunning. I grew up in Switzerland, and my parents started collecting Chinese art in the 1950s. My father went to China in 1964, and I don't know if he purchased this in China or if he purchased it through a dealer in London that my parents bought a lot of items from. Very few ancient Chinese jade spear points have survived still attached to their original bronze shafts after spending centuries buried underground. This piece dates to the Zhou dynasty between 1046 and 770 before the Common Era, making it an extremely early Chinese ritual object. Many ancient Chinese tombs remained hidden until railway and road construction in the late 19th century uncovered them. The jade point is fitted into a cast bronze shaft with small holes that once secured it to a wooden pole. Although it resembles a weapon, it was actually created for ceremonial and tomb use rather than for battle. Visually, the bronze surface is heavily covered with burial encrustation, but beneath it there were likely rich inlays of gold, silver, and turquoise, forming complex patterns of dragons and mythical animals. The jade and bronze were both shaped and finished by hand using highly skilled early metalworking and carving techniques. Most examples lost their jade fittings over time, which makes this intact survival especially rare. What do you think this is worth? $20,000. You are great. It's worth about $20,000 to $30,000 at auction. That's wonderful. It belonged to my grandfather. He and my grandmother had it on their mantle, and when he died in 1971, we inherited it. I don't know where he bought it or got it from. Yellow jade is much rarer than the more common green varieties, which made it especially admired by Chinese collectors. This piece shows a kilin, a mythical creature connected with wisdom, good fortune, and protection. The animal is covered in carved scales and has a twisting head that combines features of a lion and a dragon. Around it are flowing cloud and lingzhi forms, symbols associated with good luck and long life in Chinese culture. Also, the figure rests on what appears to be a stack of books or a treasure box, a detail meant to represent knowledge and valuable things. The jade has a warm yellow tone, and the carving style suggests it was made during the Republic period in China, sometime after the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 and before 1949. The work looks broad and expressive rather than finely detailed like earlier imperial carvings, which helps identify its age. The carving remains highly important because of its rare material and symbolic meaning. OK, so I'd say for insurance purposes, somewhere around $40,000. All right, that's amazing. I know this is jade. Maybe it's from China, it's Asian. I bought it in a state sale. Great, and was the estate sale local or...? Local. OK, how many years ago did you buy it? Many years, I think it's maybe 10 years. 10 years, OK. Do you recall what you paid for it? Yeah, I paid $30. When it comes to Chinese jade carvings, even a small duck could carry deep symbolic meaning about harmony, balance and long life. This carved jade duck was made in China during the late Ming to early Qing period in the 17th century. It is carved from pale celadon and white jade with natural russet and grey markings, features that collectors of the time admired rather than rejected. Later generations preferred perfectly pure white jade, but earlier craftsmen appreciated the natural character of the stone. Now the duck is carved in an archaic style with flowing C and S scroll designs that look back to much older Chinese art. Fine incised feathers appear along the wings, while the soft matte polish is typical of genuine early jade carvings rather than later reproductions with bright glossy surfaces. A single duck represented self-sufficiency, harmony and inner balance, which suggests it may once have been displayed as a personal object for reflection. In an auction today, $10,000 to $15,000. Oh, my God. So I have to buy the lunch for my boyfriend. Oh, I never think about it, it's so much. I bought it at a flea market from a dealer who sells American Indian artifacts. And I bought it as a group with American Indian and this came with the purchase. I believe the lot was $1,200 to $1,500. Even small carved plaques like this were often worn as status symbols on clothing or at the waist. This piece is a carved jade plaque from the UN period in China, dating from 1271 to 1368. It shows a graceful scene of a goose moving through a lotus pond with delicate lotus flowers rising above it, a design that reflects harmony with nature and peaceful living. Now the jade itself is natural and hand carved with a soft worn surface that shows its great age. It was originally meant to be sewn into fabric or worn as part of a decorative set, not displayed as jewelry in a modern bracelet. The silver bangle it is now set in is much later, made in the 20th or 21st century and is not part of the original object. There are no visible maker marks on the jade, which is typical for objects of this period. It's fine carving from an early imperial Chinese era, making it highly desirable to collectors today. At auction, I would estimate something like this at $4,000 to $6,000. Good. I was, yeah, I didn't know. I was hoping between five and 10, you know. The jade was from the last empress of China. It was originally set as cuff links. It was given to my mother's friend's father. They lived in China during the 1920s. When she moved back to the United States, my mother's friend, she had them reset and then they came to my mother after her friend died. Stories tied to China's last imperial family often increase the mystery of jadeite jewelry. This piece consists of jadeite cabochons set with old cut diamonds in a gold mount, originally made as cuff links and later reset into a brooch. It was said to have connections to the household of the last empress of China during the time of Puyi, placing its family history around the 1920s. Interestingly, the green stones are jadeite, not nephrite jade, and they show a translucent quality that was highly valued in Chinese and later international jewelry. The setting combines diamonds and gold with hand-finished workmanship, suggesting it was created around the mid-20th century, likely in China or in workshops serving expatriate clients. The piece shows wear from being reset, but it remains intact and carefully preserved. While the claimed imperial connection cannot be confirmed, the quality of the jadeite makes it desirable to collectors today. Somewhere between $8,000 and $12,000. Oh my goodness. Well, they're beautiful, aren't they? In China, carved symbols like peaches and birds were not just decorative, but carried wishes for long life, prosperity, and happy marriage. This piece is a jadeite and pink tourmaline necklace made in China around 1910 during the late Qing to early Republican period. It combines hand-carved jadeite beads with small-faceted tourmaline stones, all connected with silver fittings that have developed a natural age patina. Visually, the design shows a bird alongside fruit and flowers, including peaches and oranges, which are powerful symbols in Chinese culture. Peaches represent longevity and good fortune, while oranges also suggest prosperity. Songbirds are linked with harmony in marriage. The beads were carefully drilled and shaped by hand, showing skilled workshop craftsmanship typical of the period. This type of jadeite jewelry became more common as China's gem trade expanded in the early 20th century, but finely carved examples like this remain highly desirable. So, conservative prices, but at the auction, it should do 10,000 to 15,000. Oh my word! I worked as a private duty nurse for the lady I was taking care of. As a thank you, she gave me the snuff bottle. Many objects we think of as purely Chinese were actually finished in workshops across Japan for export trade. This snuff bottle is one of those cross-cultural pieces, made from good quality jade and decorated with fine lacquer painting and mother-of-pearl shell inlays. It dates to around the late 1800s, when East Asian art objects were widely traded by sea between China, Japan, and Western markets. Notably, the jade body is carefully carved and polished, showing soft natural wear from age and handling. Over it, delicate painted lacquer scenes and shell inlays were added with great precision, showing the skill of Japanese artisans working for export production. The combination of materials creates a rich decorative surface, and small tool marks in the lacquer may still be visible under close inspection. This type of snuff bottle reflects a time of active cultural exchange and hybrid craftsmanship. Its value today comes from the quality of the jade and the detailed decorative work. In the auction, it will bring $3,000 to $5,000. Oh, wow. Yes, because the jade is very good quality. This was a gift from my aunt Juanita. She went to Shanghai in 1929 to teach English at Shanghai University. And they lived in Shanghai until 1957, and they moved to New York City. And I don't know if it's something that she had in China and brought with her, or if it's something she purchased in New York City. Circular discs like this were once believed to connect heaven and earth, making them deeply symbolic objects in ancient burial traditions. This piece is a carved jade bi-disc made from pale celadon jade with a perfectly rounded form that reflects that ancient idea of the sky. The surface is covered in flowing cloud and wave patterns and within those patterns are hidden dragons that weave across the stone in a very complex design. Now the back of the disc shows a fine crosshatch texture, a detail often found in ritual-inspired jade objects. While the shape itself comes from ancient burial traditions dating back thousands of years, the decoration suggests it is not truly ancient. Instead, it likely comes from a later period, either the 18th century or an early 20th century revival inspired by older styles. It was made in China and carefully carved by hand from solid jade. The connection to traditional Chinese beliefs about life, death, and the universe may add some value to its price. You want to venture a guess on what kind of value this would have? Oh, before hearing all that, I might have said like $400, $500. I think a more reasonable amount would be $15,000 to $20,000 at auction. Oh, goodness. Wow. My friend told me not to get emotional. I bought it at auction in 1993 in Lexington. My husband and I both are interested in Asian things. I had the opportunity to buy it and I thought it was a good price, and I didn't really know for sure what it was other than I thought it was probably some kind of jade, but it was listed as Spanish nephrite. What did this cost? Do you remember? Well, I can't really remember, and I couldn't find a receipt for it, but I want to say maybe about $800. Another Chinese jade carving. But even more interesting, everyday objects like wash basins were often designed in a way that turned functional pieces into works of art. This shallow basin is carved from nephrite jade, a dark green stone often called spinach jade because of its color. It was made in China during the late 18th to early 19th century in the Qing Dynasty period. Now the interior is richly carved with lotus flowers, leaves, and vines, forming a continuous natural scene. Around the rim are chrysanthemums and bats. Lotus represents purity and renewal. Chrysanthemums suggest longevity, and bats are linked with good fortune. The basin is recessed and was originally meant to sit on a wooden stand and hold water, while the carved exterior lotus scroll would still be visible from the side. Also, the carving is done by hand and shows natural fissures in the stone that are part of the jade itself. It was later used in a modern setting, but its origin lies in Qing Dynasty decorative arts. I would recommend an insurance figure for this of about $25,000. Oh my God. Okay. Okay? Wow. $25,000, maybe even $30,000. Whoa. Okay? That's what you'd be expected to pay if you went to an antique shop that dealt in Chinese art. Really? And bought this today. Wow, that's amazing. Oh, I'm excited. Mom and dad traveled extensively out of the country, in the country, and they would come back with things that they picked up in antique stores. I think they brought this back from somewhere in their travels in the U.S. Approximately what period of time? Probably in the 70s to the 80s. They never really told me what it was. I was the one that got them, and they've been sitting on a shelf for the last 25, 30 years. Some jade pieces were carved specifically to match Indian tastes, and later returned to China, showing how global trade shaped even traditional art forms. This example includes two carved jade objects made from hard nephrite stone, both carefully shaped and hollowed by hand. Now one piece is a pomander, designed to hold fragrant spices and release scent through small openings. It has a later silver mount added by the New York jeweler Edward Farmer, whose maker's mark appears on the base. The other piece is a thicker censer, carved in what is known as Mughal style, inspired by Indian design traditions, but made in China during the 18th to 19th century period. Also, both objects show natural russet markings in the jade and fine hand-carved details, with no signs of machine production. The pomander reflects later adaptation and mounting for Western markets, while the censer preserves an earlier style influenced by cross-cultural exchange between China and South Asia. This one here, with the farmer name on it, would be probably $6,000 to $8,000. The other one that's here, the Mughal one, would be more like $8,000 to $12,000. You're kidding. Unbelievable. And that is at auction. That's an auction estimate. And I would not be surprised if they sold for much more at the end of the day. Really? My uncle left this to my sister and me. It was given to him by an American author named Marie Killaly, who he was very good friends with. Small figures like seated boys were often given as wedding gifts to symbolize hopes for many sons and a prosperous future. This piece is a celadon jade carving of a seated boy holding a celestial ribbon that links coins, a design that represents both fertility and wealth in traditional Chinese culture. Now the jade is a soft pale green color with a natural brown skin on the surface, a feature that collectors often appreciate rather than see as a flaw. It was carved by hand during the Qing dynasty, likely sometime between the 17th and 19th century, using traditional tools that created smooth but slightly softened details over time. The carving shows the skill of workshop artisans who focused on symbolic meaning as much as form. Also, the wooden stand it rests on is not original and was likely added in the 1920s for display purposes. Its importance comes from its cultural symbolism, age and hand-carved quality. Do you have any idea of value? I have no idea. In a retail setting, it would probably carry a price tag of $7,000. Very nice. It's, we think, a jade piece that we picked up in China in a small village near the Great Wall in about 1988 at a small little junk shop. Guy had a drawer full of just rusty items and like marbles, and I happened to see that in there and I asked how much it was. He held up three fingers for three yuan, which was about $1 at the time. I actually looked around in the drawer for the missing, broken piece. It was nowhere to be found, so I still thought it was a good value. Some of the most valuable pieces today were once everyday parts of ceremonial clothing, especially belt ornaments worn by officials and elites. This carved jade piece is a belt plaque made from hard nephrite jade and dates to the 15th century in China during the Ming Dynasty. It was originally part of a larger belt set where multiple plaques would be linked together for ceremonial and decorative use. Visually, the carving is highly detailed, showing layered openwork with lotus leaf designs and flowing plant scrolls. Lotus imagery reflects Buddhist influence and symbolizes purity and spiritual growth. The work is done entirely by hand with fine drilling and careful cutting that creates depth across multiple layers of jade. Also, the piece shows clear signs of age, including wear and a missing corner, which suggests long use or an old break. It was discovered in the late 1980s in a village near the Great Wall and purchased for a very small amount from a local shop where it was hidden among ordinary objects. If this were to show up at auction, I would expect a reasonable value is $1,500. Wonderful. Given the condition, I think that's a very good price. If it were fully intact, could be about $3,000. All right, well, thank you very much. This is a piece that's been in my family as long as I can remember, and I believe it was originally purchased by my grandfather. Do you know about what date your grandfather acquired it? If I had to guess, it would probably be sometime in the early 1900s. Carved fruit forms like peaches were not just decorative objects, but powerful symbols of long life and were often given as birthday gifts to wealthy and important families in late imperial China. This piece is a finely carved jadeite bowl shaped like a peach, sitting in a detailed rosewood stand. It was made in China during the late Qing dynasty, roughly between 1890 and 1920, a period when jade carving for elite display pieces was highly developed. Notably, the jadeite shows soft tones of green and cream, carefully shaped into a three-dimensional form that reflects expert hand carving. The details are smooth but precise, showing it was made as a presentation or cabinet piece rather than for everyday use. The rosewood stand is also finely carved and designed to complement the jade, adding to its visual impact. The object shows only light wear consistent with age and careful handling. It's a well-preserved jadeite presentation piece, making it highly desirable among collectors of fine Chinese decorative art. Oh, okay. Now, at auction currently, this piece would carry a presale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. You're kidding. It's a marvelous example of its type. It's really an exceptional piece, beautiful color, tour de force carving. Thank you very much for bringing it in. Thank you. I believe them to be jade. They were both purchased at Housing Works Thrift Shops right here in the city, and I bought them over 10 years ago individually from two separate events that they had, and I believe them to be jade. I don't know. Okay, and which one do you think is the oldest of the two? I'm gonna say the belt. Do you happen to know the purpose of the other object? I believe it to be a compact. This pair includes two objects that were both purchased separately from thrift sales in New York, but they come from very different levels of quality and authenticity. One piece is a decorative belt made from a softer green stone, most likely serpentine or soapstone, rather than true jade. It is carved with stylized dragons and reflects an imitation of earlier Chinese designs, likely created as a decorative reproduction rather than an original dynastic artifact. Next, the second piece is far more important. It is a hinged plaque carved from high-quality white jade with a smooth, almost pure surface. It features traditional Chinese symbols, including fu bats, show medallions, and dragon motifs, all carefully carved by hand. Although it contains a mirror, that addition was made later, likely in the early 20th century, when many older jade belt fittings were adapted for Western use. The white jade piece dates to the Qianlong period of the 18th century and was originally a belt fitting. Now, the white jade hinged belt fitting would carry a very conservative auction estimate of around $4,000 to $6,000. Wow. I'm impressed. I inherited it. It was my great-aunt Hazel. She brought it out of China in the 40s or 50s. About jade jewelry, many pieces were not originally made as modern rings at all, but were older Chinese carvings, later reshaped and set into Western designs, creating objects that combine two very different artistic traditions. This ring is one such example, featuring a carved jadeite stone set into a 14-carat gold mounting with diamonds in an Art Deco style. Now, the jadeite itself is older and was originally carved in China before being recut to fit the ring setting. The mounting was created during the Art Deco period in the 1920s, when jewelers favored bold geometric designs and often incorporated exotic materials like jade from Asia. The combination reflects a blending of Chinese carving traditions with Western luxury jewelry design. The jade shows signs of hand carving and later modification, while the gold setting is finely made and holds small diamonds as decorative accents. The piece is in good condition with normal wear for its age and no major damage, which helps the value. At auction today, this ring would be worth in the $8,000 to $12,000 range. Wow. Well, this was originally my grandparent's. I know it dates back to at least the mid-30s because I have a picture of my grandparents with my father when he was about four years old. He was born in 1931, so I'd make it the mid-30s. And this was, I guess, a cigarette case of hers. And now I use it for my cigar utensils. Often the most valuable part is often not the container, but a much older piece hidden inside it. This object combines a 20th century fitted box with a far older carved jade element. The inset piece is a white jade garment hook, originally made in China during the 18th century. It is carved from pure white nephrite jade. The hook itself was originally used as part of traditional dress, likely attached to clothing worn by scholars or officials. Also, the outer box is a later addition, made in the first half of the 20th century from metal and designed to hold and display the jade piece. The contrast between the two parts shows how older jade objects were often repurposed and preserved in new forms rather than discarded. The jade shows natural wear and residue in recessed areas, which suggests long use and authenticity rather than modern polishing. Its 18th century origin and fine carving are the true value center of the object rather than the later box that surrounds it. An auction or fair market value would be $2,000 to $3,000. What? Well, that'd buy a lot of cigars, wouldn't it? There you go. Well, I know it's a carved jade vessel and we got it on a state sale about 18 years ago in Nashville, and I really don't know a whole lot about it. Large single blocks of jadeite are extremely difficult to find, which is why most carved jade objects are much smaller, even when they are made into elaborate display pieces. This vase is carved from a single large piece of jadeite with a pale icy white tone and faint green coloring, showing the natural granular structure of the stone. It was made in China during the early 20th century, likely between the first and middle decades of that century. Notably, the form is a tall decorative vase with carved foliate handles and movable ring details. On one side is a finely carved image of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, accompanied by a carp, a traditional symbol of good fortune. On the reverse, Guanyin appears again in flowing robes. The overall design reflects both Chinese artistic traditions and influences from Indian Mughal-style jade carving. The carving is deep and detailed, but the walls are thicker than earlier imperial examples, which helps place it in this later period. And you've had some people tell you that it's worth how much? Well, some people said $1,200 to $1,500. I would say in an auction market, this is likely to realize somewhere between $12,000 and $18,000 in today's market. All right. So that's a pretty good bit of compounded interest, isn't it? Tenfold or so. Yes, I can put money in the bank for that. I think so.