Many magnificent jade teawares were created during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in China. This white jade teapot is shaped to form a tree trunk, with the handle and lid sculpted as pine branches. Due to the hardness of the material, which made jade difficult to work with, the craftsman was evidently keen to demonstrate his skill in achieving a high level of naturalism with a carving knife. The polished stone is an even, pale white tone with minor russets. Jade was seen as a precious material in China and represents many ancient Chinese beliefs. This teapot would have been made for a privileged household and was probably only used for decorative purposes during tea ceremonies.
