A HARDSTONE TREE IN A GILT-METAL AND JADE-INLAID JARDINIERE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG / JIAQING PERIOD

the gilded tree laden with three kinds of fruit, various blossoms and leaves in rock crystal, quartz, and other hardstones with knotted string accents, the trunk surrounded by smaller bamboo, pine, flowering plants, and lapis lazuli rocks, all issuing from a quatrilobed gilt-metal jardinière, raised on four bracket feet, finely-cast with scrolling foliage, lotus blossoms and the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems', each lobe centered with a spinach-green jade plaque decorated with a stylized lotus blossom, the sides of the rim chased with a key-fret band

Mrs. Willard Velie, Illinois, purchased in Beijing circa 1900 and thence by descent. Mrs. Velie was the granddaughter of the great American industrialist, John Deere.

There are a few cracks to the trunk and branches and some wear to the gilt. There are losses to the leaves, petals and fruit and some of the remaining leaves are loose. There are chips to some leaves and one fruit as well as losses to the plants surrounding the main trunk. Two corners of one of the jade plaques in the jardiniere are chipped and the plaque is loose. There is some light surface wear but the jardiniere is in otherwise 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A pair of jade, serpentine and coral peach trees, dated to the Qianlong period, and in almost identical jardinières to the present lot, was sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 1996, lot 128.