vase en jade céladon sculpté chine, dynastie qing, marque et époque qianlong (1736-1795)

de forme ovoïde, reposant sur un court pied évasé et ajouré, le pourtour sculpté de trois phénix dont les ailes au délicat plumage se déploient sur les côtés, leurs têtes en haut relief surmontant le col, marque à quatre caractères gravée à la base

The vessel is in overall very good condition. The colour of the stone is a slightly more saturated olive-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."

With the Imperial collection of archaic jades and bronzes documented in the Xiqing gujian (Mirror of Antiquies in the Western Qing), craftsmen of the Qianlong period had an important reference work at their hands. While the archaic vessels served as models to be imitated, their shapes and designs were more often rather loosely interpreted and adapted in a highly imaginative way. The Xiqing gujian lists a vessel of similar form with three three-dimensional bird heads, dated to the Han dynasty (Fig. 1), compare Xiqing gujian, (Siku quanshu), juan 34:43. It may actually depict another jade vase with three phoenix heads, formerly in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware III, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 33. 

The number of known vases of similar and related form illustrates the popularity of this particular type of jade vase. Compare, for example, a white jade vase of this type and carved with three 'heavenly roosters' and a cover, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages, vol. 11, Hong Kong. 1996, pl. 69. Compare also a slightly smaller unmarked celadon jade version carved with turtle doves, but lacking the piercings on the foot, also formerly in the Qing Court Collection, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated ibid., pl. 68; a closely related example was sold at Christie's Paris, 14^th June 2006, lot 127; yet another vase of this type from the collection of General Herbert Slade, sold in our London rooms, 5^th November 2008, lot 60.