A RARE SPINACH-GREEN JADE ALMS BOWL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the rounded sides deftly carved in various levels of relief with five dragons and three chilong, writhing amongst scrolling clouds, the stone of a mottled deep-green tone with black and russet-tinged inclusions skillfully incorporated into the carving, gilt-bronze stand

There is an 18cm by 8cm semi-circular break and repair to one side, which has been restored and has associated re-touching. There is also some minor re-touching to a 10cm flaw on the other side.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This alms bowl is notable for the rich and dynamic design of ferocious dragons and animated chilong amongst swirling clouds – a subject much treasured by the Qianlong Emperor. The dragons are rendered with ferocious expressions, gaping jaws that reveal sharp fangs, bulbous eyes and flaring nostrils. Their scaly bodies appear to thrash through the clouds to create a powerful scene of intense strength and energy heightened by the sinuous bodies of the chilong. Bowls of this type appear to have been inspired by the massive black jade bowl attributed to the Yuan dynasty, modelled with an incurved rim and carved with dragons above waves, which was discovered at a Daoist temple during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign. The bowl was sent to the Imperial Court and is now housed in the Round Fort, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji. Yuqi [The complete collection of Chinese art. Jade], vol. 9, Beijing, 1991, pl. 264.

An alms bowl of this type was sold in these rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 6; a slightly smaller example, attributed to the late Ming dynasty, was included in the exhibition Jade as Sculpture, Minnesota Museum of Art, Saint Paul, 1975, cat. no. 6; a slightly larger example was sold in our New York rooms, 17th/18th October 1974, lot 205; one was sold in our London rooms, 1st July 1969, lot 53; another, inscribed on the interior with a poem and dated to 1772, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th November 1985, lot 48; and a further example was sold at Christie’s London, 31st May 1965, lot 163. See also a much larger alms bowl carved with dragons among waves, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji [Complete collection of Chinese Jades], vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 333.

Compare also a cinnabar lacquer alms bowl carved with dragon among waves, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th November 1982, lot 334, and 8th October 2009, lot 1828, from the Water Pine and Stone Retreat collection.