A FINE ARCHAISTIC ROCK CRYSTAL WASHER MARK AND PERIOD of QIANLONG

the body of compressed globular form rising from a convcave base to wide lipped mouth, finely hollowed and carved around the exterior in high relief with a band of two pairs of confronted dragon 

Good condition - some minor wear to the edges of the base
"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."

Water-clear with a captivating transparency, the name for rock crystal in Chinese was traditionally shui jing ('essence of water'), a romantic name that undoubtedly came from the belief that rock crystal was produced by water turning into stone. In the Song dynasty, the term became synonymous with beauty. Rock crystal, according to Cao Zhao in his famous Gegu yaolun (1388 and later augmented by Wang Zuo in 1459), is "so hard that a sharp knife cannot leave a mark on it, it is brittle. It is transparent as ice. The best pieces are lustrous, flawless, and perfect in condition... The ancients said: 'A thousand-year old piece of ice turns into crystal."'

Rock crystal washers are rare, although one believed to date to the 18^th/19^th century and carved in the interior with a fish and leafy spray and qilong climbing over the rim at either side was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th September 1989, lot 1620. Compare two cups with archaistic handles and also inscribed with a Qianlong reign mark on the base, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pls. 13-16.