A PAIR OF WHITE JADE RETICULATED 'PEONY' BOWLS AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

each vessel with gently curved S-shaped sides rising from a flat base, supported on four short ruyi-head feet, the sides of the squared mouth rim incised with a continuous T-scroll border, above a bouquet of lush peonies and leaves borne on meandering stems carved in openwork detail, the bottom of the solid interior carved with delicate overlapping peony petals with incised detail, the covers of similar form and design, surmounted by a flattened peony bloom finial, the stone of icy-white color accentuated with translucent streaks, wood stands (6)

Phillips de Pury & Luxembourg London, 13th June 2001, lot 37.

The bowls and covers are in good condition. There are miniscule nicks on the exterior rims of the vessels, which may have been caused or exacerbated by the carving of the scrolling band. One of the feet has an old small, shallow chip approximately .5 cm long.
"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 style of reticulated carving on jade vessels was popular during the end of the Qianlong emperor's reign. Sometimes referred to as censers or perfumers, these vessels are often found with prominent peony decoration. The peony, with its generous layering of lush petals, symbolises affluence and prosperity.

A similar vessel with comparable finial and with lush peony handles, in The National Museum of History, Taiwan, is illustrated in Jade. Ch'ing Dynasty Treasures, Taipei, 1997, pl. 71, p. 136. See also a spinach-green jade 'jasper perfumer' of similar form and design as the present example, in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in Jadeware (III). The Complete Collection of Treasure of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 40, p. 51. Another comparable vessel, inlaid with tourmaline and emerald-green jadeite beads around the exterior of the mouth rim, is illustrated in Alex Kerr, Immortal Images. The Jade Collection of Margaret and Trammell Crow, Dallas, 1989, p. 97.

The pierced surfaces of the present pair suggest that they may have also functioned as incense burners or perfumers. However, according to Carole Michaelson in China. The Three Emperors, 1662-1795, London, 2005, the Qianlong emperor 'promulgated an edict in 1794 deploring the lack of practicality of such vessels because the openwork design meant that no liquids or incense ash could be placed in them.' (p. 448) A very similar pair, with phoenix and peony decoration and attributed to the Qianlong period, was sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 208. Another pair, with a solid vessel and reticulated cover, with incised Qianlong seal marks sold in the same rooms, 13th March 1970, lot 90.