A RARE MUGHAL PALE CELADON JADE POURING VESSEL INDIA, 18TH CENTURY

the compressed globular body surmounted by a ribbed neck, set with a pair of floral handles and a long facetted spout, the exterior carved in shallow relief with detached floral sprays above a lappet band, all below overhanging floral motifs at the shoulder, the base carved with a floral medallion with curled petals, the polished stone of a pale celadon tone

Christie’s New York, 28th March 1996, lot 41.
A Californian Private Collection.
Sotheby's London, 10th June 1997, lot 205.

The vessel is in very good condition with the exception of some minute nibbles to the rim and one to the tip of the spout. It should be noted that the stone is of a slightly more celadon-white tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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 thin translucent body and relief floral desgin of the present vessel suggests that it is a product Hindustan jade carvers working in Mughal India. Hindustan jades were introduced into China during the middle of the reign of the Qianlong emperor and throughout the rest of his reign large numbers of jades from the Muslim regions were send as tribute to the Qing court. The emperor's appreciation for them saw Muslim carvers enter the Palace Workshops to fashion similar wares and by 1764 exact copies of the Indian Jades held at the Palace were reproduced by Chinese craftsmen working at the court.

A number of related Mughal vessels in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, were included in the exhibition Exquisite Beauty. Islamic Jades, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, cat. nos 96-99.