Rince-pinceaux en jade blanc sculpté chine, dynastie qing, époque qianlong (1736-1795)

finement sculpté en forme d'une double-gourde reposant sur trois petits pieds, les bords mouvementés et délicatement ourlés, une chauve-souris aux ailes déployées en relief séparant les deux sections, la calebasse agrémentée d'un élégant pédoncule s'enroulant sur lui-même, à décor finement incisé sur un côté d'une chauve-souris en vol parmi des nuages stylisés réhaussés d'inclusions rouille naturelles, la pierre d'une belle teinte blanche au doux poli, socle en bois sculpté (2)

The washer is in good overall condition ; the actual colour is a fraction more pale celadon 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."

An emblem of the unity of heaven and earth, the double-gourd was extensively used in the decorative arts of the 18th century. While the majority of jade washers carved in this form are of larger size, several smaller examples are known. Compare a similarly small example formerly in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, cat.no. 294; also formerly in the Qing Court Collection is a Japanese lacquer box containing 'one hundred miniature treasures', among them a small double-gourd shaped washer of pale celadon jade, published in Gugong zhenbao, Beijing, 2004, p. 172.