A WHITE JADE TRIPOD CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the translucent stone of a white tone with natural veining, well carved with a compressed globular body supported on three clawed-animal feet emanating from mythical animal masks, rising to a waisted neck below a lipped mouth, the exterior adorned with confronting stylised archaistic dragons in low relief, flanked by a pair of mythical animal-head handles in openwork, the domed cover similarly decorated, surmounted by a reticulated knop with a coiled dragon grasping a 'flaming pearl' in its claws, fitted wood stand

Christie's New York, 30^th November 1983, lot 256.

The overall condition is very good. There are some expected bruises and minute nicks, especially to the handles and the inner rim of the mouth, with the largest bruise to the mouthrim measuring only 0.3 cm.
"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 censer is impressive for the elegant combination of elements. It fuses both carving techniques, seen in the low relief carving and openwork carving reserved for the handles and knop, as well as decorative motifs, by juxtaposing archaic-bronze inspired taotie bands with naturalistic dragons, to suit the aesthetic taste contemporary to its time.

Compare a similar censer illustrated in Pierre-F. Scheeberger, The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Jades and Other Hardstones, Geneva, 1976, pl. B. 65; another, formerly in the C.T. Loo collection, sold in our London rooms, 29^th October 1983, lot 171; and a third example sold at Christie's New York, 23^rd April 1987, lot 191. A censer of related form but carved with phoenixes on the body and cover, in the De An Tang collection, was included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade from, the De And Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 107.