A fine and rare spinach-jade archaistic censer and cover Qing dynasty, Qianlong / Jiaqing Period

of archaic bronze gui shape, the round body carved with a pair of taotie animal masks reserved on a leiwen ground, set between a pair of animal masks around the rim and three along the foot ring forming the foot of the vessel, the sides flanked by a pair of dragon handles, each with long beards forming the loop, the domed cover similarly carved with a pair of taotie masks, surmounted by a finely carved openwork dragon finial, the dark green stone mottled with characteristic black flecks, stand

To the cover, there is an old chip to the tip of one of the dragon's whiskers. There is another small chip to the tip of the scroll border on the RHS. Otherwise the piece is in very good condition overall. There are natural fissures and veining to the stone.
"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."

It is rare to find spinach jade of this color and carving quality, although examples in this form are not hard to find.  Compare a similar spinach jade gui and cover sold our New York rooms, 21st September 2005, lot 325.  A white jade censer and cover of this type was sold in the same sale, lot 327 and another white jade example was sold in these rooms 16th May 1990, lot 446. 

The present lot is based on the archaic bronze shape, the gui, a food vessel. 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, reproduced in Through the Prism of the Past, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2003, II-02.