A JADEITE ARCHAISTIC CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

of rectangular form with two dragon handles, the front and back face with panels of archaic dragon scrolls, the sides with taotie masks, on four animal mask legs, the domed cover with rounded pierced sides below a Buddhistic lion finial



 



 

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 30th November 1980, lot 506.

The censer and cover are in very good overall condition with the exception of minute nibbles to the edges of the rims and a 5mm., wide polished shallow chip to the inside edge of the rim on the inside of the cover. It should be noted that the stone is of a slightly warmer green tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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."

One of the rarest and most valued materials used during the eighteenth century, jadeite became popular in China shortly after it was introduced from Myanmar in the early Qing dynasty. The translucency and luminosity of the material itself and the archaistic style of the present piece reflect the artistic and intellectual tastes of the court.

For examples of jadeite censers of fang ding form, see one with plain rim handles from the Jingguantang collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd November 1996, lot 602; and another with ornately carved ringed handles in the form of dragon heads, from the Doris Duke collection, sold at Christie's New York, 21^st September 2004, lot 116, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd December 2008, lot 2254.