A Pair of Fine White Jade Bowls Qing dynasty, Qianlong Period

each of deep round form rising from a neatly finished straight footring, rising to a slightly everted rim, the well-matched stone of translucent tone throughout, attractively suffused with some slightly opaque inclusions

The present pair of white jade bowls is exceptional both with regard to the purity of the stone, as well as the quality of the polish.  Plain, elegant vessels were made to show off the superiority of the material, whereas carved designs often served the purpose of hiding original flaws in the stone.  The shape of the bowls, with their everted rounded sides and straight rims, are typical of the late Qianlong period.  Although the bowls are unmarked, the quality of the stone, shape and fine finish, as well as their close similarity with marked examples in jade and other precious materials, all indicate that the pair would have been produced for the Qing court.