清 粉晶石榴花插|Flower holder with pomegranate

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Flower Holder with Pomegranate* (清 粉晶石榴花插), crafted in the 18th century China's Qing dynasty (16441911), exemplifies the era's mastery of hardstone carving. Fashioned from a single piece of translucent rose quartz—a prized pink variety of quartz—this delicate object stands just 4 5/8 inches (11.7 cm) tall. Its form features a stylized pomegranate, a motif rich in symbolism, representing fertility, abundance, and prosperity in Chinese, often evoking wishes for many children and bountiful harvests. Qing artisans, working in imperial workshops, honed lapidary techniques to transf...