A SMALL JADE RHYTON MING DYNASTY

the slightly flattened vessel well carved in low relief with a ferocious makara dragon-fish curled around the base and extending to form the handle, carved around the sides with two archaistic scrolls divided by a narrow band, the translucent olive-green stone mottled with burnet inclusions  

The overall condition is very good. The stone has natural veining and flaws. There is a 3mm C-shaped hole beneath the handle that appears to be a minor original carving error. The actual colour of the piece appears to be slightly greener than in the catalogue illustration.
"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 rhyton with the cup held in the mouth of a dragon-fish belongs to a distinct group of jade carvings. The archaistic c-scroll decoration reminiscent of the late-Zhou style and bifurcated tail are common features of these jades. Rhytons were made during the Han and Tang dynasties when trade between China and West Asia was very active. The form of the present piece has moved substantially away from its original horn-shape, and represents the prototype copied by Ming and Qing craftsmen who in turn added their own decorative elements.

See a closely related example in the Qing Court collection, and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware II, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 184; and another in the Harry Garner collection included in the exhibition Chinese Jade throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, and illustrated in Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 40, London, 1973-75, cat. no. 307. Compare also a rhyton with qilong clambering up the side in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jades from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1994, pl. 29:8; and a later more stylised version published in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 41.