A RARE AND FINELY CARVED CARNELIAN-AGATE 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' DOUBLE VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the vermillion stone carved as a pine tree segment and bamboo culm conjoined at the base with their trunks hollowed out and wrapped in twisting pine branches with a small cluster of lingzhi sprouting from the ground, the creamy white sections skilfully picked out as bamboo leaves and prunus blossoms at different stages of bloom

Collection of George de Menasce (1890-1967).
Collection of Pierre de Menasce (1902-73).

Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 491.

Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 35, 1963-64, pl. 130, no. 422.

Overall good condition, with just a 0.5cm shallow chip to the underside of one of the branches on the front. Other areas of abrasion to the extremities. Typical flaws to the stone.
"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."

A carnelian-agate brushrest with similar high quality naturalistic treatment of the lingzhi, from the Qing court collection, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Small Refined Articles of the Study, Shanghai, 2009, p. 122, pl. 91. The form of this double vase, used for displaying flowers, can also be found on an amber double vase, similarly carved with the 'three friends of winter', also from the Qing court collection, illustrated, ibid., p. 334, pl. 331.