A RARE AND FINELY CARVED 'ZITAN' STAND AND COVER WITH INSCRIBED JADE PLAQUE Qing dynasty, 18th century

the rectangular cover finely carved on the top and four deep sides, depicting a diverse array of flowers, including a cascading prunus branch, peony, poppy, and hibiscus, a narrow celadon jade plaque on the cover incised yu ti shi er hua hui, set flush against the stand's uncarved flat top, above double-lotus lappets on the sides, bordering a waisted section carved on the centers and corners with a chrysanthemum flowerhead flanked by stylized ruyi-heads, all atop bracket feet on the corners, the wood of deep purplish-brown (2)

Collection of George Mangini, New York.

The cover: Very well carved and with wonderful old patina. Two of the sides have been reglued, along with a 4 x 1/4 inch strip on the rim. The jade plaque has white inclusions and veining, some nibbling on the edges, with the underside of one corner slightly chipped, though it does not detract from the attractiveness of the piece. The interior lined with a lighter color wood, some panels reglued. The stand: One corner foot is missing, another is missing half the foot, and the third is probably a replacement. The central board is slightly loose.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The rare and beautifully carved zitan cover and stand are similar in form to two presentation boxes, one in The Palace Museum, Beijing, the other in The National Palace Museum, Taipei. See the illustrations in Evelyn S. Rawski and Jessica Rawson (eds.), China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795, London, 2005, pl. 214, p. 293; and Emperor Ch'ien-lung's Grand Cultural Enterprise, Taipei, 2002, fig. I-20, p. 38. The boxes were originally used to hold a pair of the Qianlong emperor's seals commemorating his seventieth (1780) and eightieth (1790) birthdays.