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

the lustrous stone of an even creamy white tone, superbly carved with a compressed globular body supported on three short lion-head feet, rising to a waisted neck below a lipped mouth, flanked by a pair of reticulated dragon-head handles suspending rings, the ferocious dragons detailed with striated mane and deer antlers, the fitted cover surmounted with a knop in openwork, meticulously carved with three Buddhist lions surrounding a brocade ball, the largest lion grasping a ribbon in its mouth and resting its paw on the ball

Sotheby's New York, 13^th March 1970, lot 114.

The overall condition is very good. A 1.3 cm section of one foot is slightly reduced and well polished, possibly to remove some natural inclusions.
"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 piece is impressive for the luminous even tone of the stone which has been skilfully finished to a lustrous polish. By restricting the intricate carving to the handles and finial, which have been intricately modelled in the round, the carver draws further attention to the quality jade.  

The three lions on the cover illustrate the pun taishe shaoshi, expressing the wish that one and one's descendants will achieve high rank. Further examples of closely related form but carved with two lions on the cover include two sold in our New York rooms, 18^th March 2008, lot 32, and the other, 27-28^th April 1967, lot 297; one sold in our London rooms, 18^th November 1998, lot 926; and another, but with one Buddhist lion over the cover and two extra ringed lion mask handles, from the Su Lin An collection sold in these rooms, 31^st October 1995, lot 331. Compare also a jadeite censer of this type from the Jingguantang collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd November 1996, lot 610.