A white jade archaistic 'taotie' vase and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period | 清乾隆 白玉仿古饕餮紋活環蓋瓶

This vase belongs to a small group of jade vessels made during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) that has been inspired by ancient vessels. Jade carvers were encouraged to move away from the ‘new style’ by studying archaic bronze vessels in the Palace collection or in illustrated woodblock prints, and adapting them to the medium of jade. Inspired in both form and decoration by archaic bronze vessel, this vase epitomises this trend.

The pure and translucent white colouration of this vessel is noteworthy. Compare an archaistic white jade vase and cover from the collection of Sir Quo-Wei Lee (1918-2013), sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2019, lot 128; and another vase, from the collection of Franco Marinotti (1891-1966), sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 4th June 2015, lot 42.