A finely carved white jade bottle vase Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period

the globular body finely carved with confronting archaistic gui dragons, below a band of upright plantain leaves collaring the tubular neck and flanked by elephant heads securing loose-ring handles, the stone of fine white tone with slight chalky inclusions

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30th - 31st October 1991, lot 424. 
Oriental Art Gallery, London. 
Christie's New York, 20th September 2002, lot 206.

The overall condition is very good with only a minor fault through each ring.
"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."

The popularity of antiquarian tastes continued from the Song Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty, spurred by the literati who were eager to ground themselves in the classics and wealthy merchants who were interested in establishing an air of artistic cultivation.  Jade pieces such at the present lot were in high demand in the 18th century.

The designs were based on Song and Ming text with woodblock illustrations  of bronze forms.  One of the books used was The Illustrated Research of Antiquities (Kaogu tu) written in the Song Dynasty by Lu Dalin.  In The Verified Illustrated Antiquities (Bogu tulu kaozhen) written by Wang Fu in the Song Dynasty, a drawing of an ancient bronze hu with a similar decoration to the present lot is illustrated and is reproduced in Through the Prism of the Past, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2003, II-01.