A Pair of Mughal-Style White Jade Bowls Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

each with thin curved sides gently rising to a slightly everted rim, adorned around the exterior in low relief with floral sprays interspaced with vertical acanthus motifs, springing from layered acanthus leaves encircling the foot, the interior left undecorated, all supported on a splayed and slightly recessed foot, carved on the underside with a chrysanthemum centred with a stylised four-petal floret, the stone of an even milky white tone with natural veining and inclusions

The overall condition of the pair is very good, except for some minute nicks to the extremities as can be expected (max. approx. 0.2 cm), including a tiny one to the rim of one, and a couple to the foot of the other bowl.
"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."

Bowls of this type, characterised by their thinly carved walls and delicate floral frieze and foot, represent a style introduced in the latter half of the Qianlong period through tributes from the Mughal empire. The florid nature of the originals were so favoured by the emperor that they were interpreted and recreated by Chinese artisans, often integrating Hindustan designs into traditional Chinese motifs.

Compare bowls decorated with similarly carved flowers, such as a slightly larger example sold at Christie’s London, 6th June 1988, lot 19; another pair from the collection of T.Y. Chao, sold two times in these rooms and most recently in our New York rooms, 19th March 2008, lot 13; and another smaller example, the foot carved in the form of overlapping petals, from the S. Bulgari collection, sold at Christie’s London, 15th June 1999, lot 170. A similar bowl attributed to the Ottoman Empire and presented to the court, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Museum’s exhibition Exquisite Beauty – Islamic Jades, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2007, cat. no. 220.