A MUGHAL STYLE JADE BRUSHWASHER WITH 'TIGER' HANDLES QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

of oval section rising from deep sides to a slightly flared rim, the exterior carved in low relief with a band around the rim of elaborate pendent trefoils and acanthus-leaf inspired scrolls,  skirted by simple petal lappets at the foot, the washer further fitted with a pair of enamelled tiger head handles, each head intricately enameled in brilliant and glassy tones of orange and black depicting layers of fur and studded with various precious stones including rubies and colorless sapphires, the beasts with mouths wide open revealing pointed white teeth and a deep pink protruding tongue made from a loose ruby stone, their necks collared by a ruby-studded ring and eyes punctuated by cat's eye chrysoberyl stones, the jade of deep spinach-green textured with lighter gray and black inclusions

An Argentine collection (by repute).

The overall condition is very good with the exception of a 0.2 cm nibble to a petal below one handle and a tiny nick to the tongue of the other tiger handle. The actual colour of the stone is slightly greener than the catalogue photograph.
"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 washer appears to have been inspired by Turkestan and Ottoman kashkul (begging) bowls of this shape, such as the one finely carved from a brilliant green jade with a band of petal-like design around base and two large serrated curling leaves forming the handles, illustrated in Roger Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p. 293, fig. 38. For an example of a Turkestan bowl of related form see ibid., fig. 37. The elaborately jewelled gold handles on this piece may also have been influenced by Ottoman gold crafsmanship of the period. See Emine Bilirgen and Süheyla Murat, 'The Ottoman Treasury', Arts of Asia, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 54-67, for examples of inlaid gold pieces. The Bishop Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, has a pair of 18th century embellished white jade bracelets on exhibition with similar enamelled and inlaid animal heads capped on the ends of the circles .