Fei-ts'ui Jade Cabbage
Ch'ing Dynasty
(A.D. 1644-1911)
Length:          18.7 cm
Width:             9.1 cm
Breadth:          5.07cm
     Here the jade carver,  
with the dexterity of a 
master magician, has 
transformed a piece of 
emerald green and white 
jadeite ( fei-ts'ui ) into 
a very real-looking Chinese 
cabbage.  The ruffled, semi-
translucent leaves almost
rustle at the touch. Long, 
white stalks overlap in a 
kind of gentle rhythm, and
the delicate combination of 
pale blue-green mottles in 
the opaque white jade is
exquisite.  With a bit more 
scrutiny even a large and 
a small grasshopper will 
appear camouflaged in the 
leaves!