A PAIR OF WHITE JADE RETICULATED INCENSE HOLDERS QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

each carved and with openwork depicting scholars standing in rocky mountainous landscapes with retreats, wutong and pine trees, with detachable circular spinach jade caps

Jade as Sculpture, Minnesota Art Museum, 1975, cat no 75.

These incense holders are in very good condition with the exception of a 4mm bruise extending from the top of one holder, a 5mm flake to the top rim of the other holder and associated nibbles, and minor bruising and tiny nicks to the edges and extremities of the carving.
"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."

Incense holders of this type became popular during the Ming period and were usually made from bamboo, with jade pieces only afforded by the affluent. The style of carving, with the deep undercutting of the figures and trees, and theme of scholars in a vast mountainous landscape are characteristic of that found on other bamboo items for the scholar's table, such as brushpots and brushrests. In accordance with the style of bamboo incense burners, which are usually fitted with hardwood ends stained to a dark colour, the present pair have been fitted with ends of a darker-coloured jade. A related example, but of slightly smaller dimensions, in the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, is illustrated in James C.Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, pl. 61; a slightly larger pair was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28^th April 2003, lot 753; and a single incense burner was sold in our New York rooms, 22^nd-23^rd September 2004, lot 230.

Compare two related examples of smaller size, but with the ends carved from white jade, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pls 36 and 37; and one from the Ira and Nancy Koger collection, sold at Christie's New York, 19^th September 2006, lot 19.