Chinese Carved Jadeite Guanyin with Cat, Mounted as a Lamp, Circa 1920s

Details

Description

Chinese Carved Jadeite Guanyin with Cat, Mounted as a Lamp on French Bronze Base with Longevity Finial, Circa 1920, Two … Read more Chinese Carved Jadeite Guanyin with Cat, Mounted as a Lamp on French Bronze Base with Longevity Finial, Circa 1920, Two pieces of Jadeite, the Lamp (complete with complimentary shade) and the Jadeite finial.

An elegant and culturally significant table lamp comprising a carved Chinese jadeite figure of a serene maiden—possibly a folk interpretation of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion—accompanied by a stylized feline and mounted on a pierced hardwood floral surround above a French bronze base. Electrified in the 1920s, this rare object beautifully illustrates the early 20th-century European tradition of adapting Asian carvings into refined decorative lighting.

The central figure is carved from pale celadon jadeite, softly polished with warm inclusions and natural veining, standing in a tranquil pose and holding a stylized lotus blossom, a sacred symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and divine beauty. Her robes fall in fluid folds, and her hair is arranged in a high topknot, common to depictions of Guanyin and noblewomen in late Qing and Republic-era China.

At her feet sits a crouching cat, a rare but deeply symbolic animal in Chinese culture. Unlike lions or mythical creatures, the cat symbolizes peaceful domesticity, protection from evil spirits, and watchful presence, especially when shown alongside female figures. Together, they evoke a vision of harmony, compassion, and serenity—values traditionally associated with the ideal Chinese household.

The jadeite group is inset into a finely carved hardwood base with pierced detailing of peony blossoms and vines—the peony being the flower of feminine honor and prosperity in Chinese decorative arts. This hardwood surround is in turn mounted onto a repoussé French cast bronze plinth with scrolling foliate decoration, typical of Parisian craftsmanship from the 1920s.

The lamp retains its original 1920s patinated brass fittings, a black metal shade, and a carved jadeite finial featuring four stylized “shou” characters (壽), the Chinese symbol for longevity. These characters are rendered in circular seal-script form and repeat around the finial, encircling the lamp with an auspicious blessing of enduring life, health, and prosperity. This unifying element beautifully echoes the symbolic harmony expressed throughout the lamp’s composition.

Dimensions:
• Overall height to top of finial: 19”
• Height to top of jade figure: 9.75”
• Base footprint: 7.5” W x 4.5” D
• Shade: 9” H x 9.5” diameter
• Jade figure alone: 4.5” W x 6” H x 1.75” D

Condition:
Excellent antique condition. Minor age-related surface wear and natural inclusions in jadeite. Rewired.

This lamp is more than a decorative object—it is a deeply symbolic composition that merges spiritual grace, auspicious meaning, and cross-cultural artistry. A collector’s piece ideal for lovers of Chinese jade, 1920s French interiors, or meaningful design. See less