rare théière en forme de canard mandarin en jade vert épinard sculpté chine, dynastie qing, époque qianlong (1736-1795)

le corps aplati, reposant sur un court pied ajouré, à décor finement sculpté de volutes et motifs végétaux archaïsants, le bec verseur en forme d'une tête de canard mandarin, l'anse ajourée figurant le plumage de la queue finement sculpté, deux étiquettes jaunes à la base

The ewer is in very good overall condition. There are some tiny fritts around the edge of the footrim. The colour of the jade is of a more vibrant and saturated bottle green tone than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."

The present piece is a curiosity as it combines the Qianlong emperor's interest in animal shapes as well as his interest in archaic bronzes. The interlocking scrolls on the body of this ewer may be associated with the motif of interlinked sinuous dragons or snakes originally cast on Western Zhou archaic bronze vessels which in then inspired jade craftsmen in the 18th century who loosely copied this distinctive motif onto jade vessels. Compare a number of examples included in the exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor. Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, Taipei, 1997, cat.nos. 21 and 22. The form of the ewer which clearly depicts a mandarin duck, appears to be unique as no other example appears to be recorded. However, jade vessels formerly in the Qing Court Collection testify to the Qianlong emperors strong interest in animal shapes. While the majority of these vessels carved in jade are mythical, the craftsmen have included elements taken from nature. Compare, for instance, a white jade vessel supported on the back of a standing mythical beast, or a yellow jade  tripod vessel with a phoenix head handle opposite a dragon head spout, both illustrated ibid., cat.nos. 18 and 19. 

A related bird form jade ewer such sold in our London rooms, 14^th November 1967, lot 25; a globular teapot with bird features was included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2828.