grand vase archaïsant en jade céladon sculpté, gu chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIE-XVIIIE siècle

de forme hexagonale à pans coupés, le pied et le col évasés, des arêtes crênelées courant le long du vase, à décor de masques de taotie au centre et palmes au pied et au col, soulignés de frises de grecques, la pierre d'un doux poli, étiquette jaune

Some tiny frits to the edges and flanges, otherwise in overall good condition.
"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 contours of this large jade vase were inspired by the classical shape of an archaic bronze vessel known as gu, while the dissected taotie masks on both sides of the central protruding section of this vessel appear on other archaic vessels of the Western Zhou period. On this particular vessel, every element of the taotie mask is rendered and arranged as to match the sweeping contours of the vessel, thus imparting it with a different character than an archaic piece. Compare another archaistic vessel of rounded section, formerly in the Collection of Avery Brundage and now in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, published in Rene-Yvon Lefebrvre d'Argence, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, pp. 118-119, pl. LII.