A LARGE PALE BROWN JADE MOONFLASk QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of elegant flattened ovoid form supported on a splayed rectangular foot, below a waisted neck and flanged rim of conforming section, set with two openwork 'S'-shaped chilong handles, finely carved on the two faces in low relief with similar scenes depicting four or five quails gathering amidst rocks below tall arching sprays of millet, enclosed within a recessed panel crested with a band of interlocked ruyi on the neck, the stone of pale buff colour accented with dark brown veins and icy inclusions

Estate of Donald and Pauline MacDonald, New York.

The cover is missing, but otherwise the vase itself is in quite good condition. The stone has dark brown veins running on both sides.
"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."

Compare a moonflask carved with fowls beside a pond in a similar style, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch’ing Court, 1997, cat. no. 24.

Ears of millet or grain (sui) depicted with quails (anchun) represents the wish for peace year after year (suisui ping’an).