A SUPERBLY CARVED KHOTAN-GREEN JADE VASE AND COVER FANGGU MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of archaistic hu form, carved with a pear-shaped body rising from a slightly splayed foot to a waisted neck and galleried mouthrim, the neck flanked by a pair of openwork handles carved in the form of a stylised mythical beast, decorated in low relief with a band of upright cicada lappets and a band enclosing stylised kui dragons, the body further carved in low relief with a pair of taotie masks, all above a band of stylised dragons encircling the foot, the well-fitted domed cover similarly carved with a pair of archaistic taotie masks and surmounted by a hollowed oval-shaped finial, the base incised with a six-character fanggu reign mark, the stone of an even moss-green colour

In overall quite good condition except a few minute nicks along the extremities of the rims of the vase and cover. The catalogue illustration with more of a reddish tone.
"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 vase bears the six-character Da Qing Qianlong fanggu (‘Exemplifying Antiquity During the Qianlong Reign of the Great Qing Dynasty’) mark, thus identifying it as belonging to a select group of Imperial wares inspired by ancient vessels made during the Qianlong reign. Vessels bearing this mark are exceptional for their high level of craftsmanship and the quality of the material. The form derives from the ancient bronze hu, while the taotie motif can be traced back to the Shang dynasty (16th century- c. 1050 BC). The craftsman of the present piece has successfully taken the imposing form and design of its archaic bronze original and transformed it into a charming miniature by fusing the taotie motif with floral scrolls. While elements of the original mask remain, such as the robustness of the bulging eyes, eyebrows, horns and nostrils, it is softened by the surrounding scrolls to result in a highly tactile piece.

Compare with a slightly larger white jade vase of this type, but lacking the cover and carved with a more traditional taotie, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages. Connoisseurship of Chinese Jades, vol. 12, Hong Kong, 1997, pl. 43. Another Qianlong fanggu-marked vase also with the Da Qing Qianlong fanggu mark, but of larger size and narrower neck flanked by ringed mask handles, carved with an archaistic design of interlocking gui dragons, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 147.