A SUPERB CELADON-WHITE JADE BALUSTER VASE AND COVER LATE QING DYNASTY – REPUBLICAN PERIOD

of baluster form, set to the neck with a pair of mythical beast-head handles each suspending a loose ring, the cover carved to the top in openwork with a coiled dragon, the lustrously polished stone of an even colour with some opaque inclusions and veins, wood stand

Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 16th-17th November 1988, lot 392.

Good overall condition with just minute nicks to fragile areas including the lower rim of the cover where it meets the vase, and the foot. There are minute chips to tips of the design on the cover, including the whiskers of the dragon. Please note the colour is not so white as in the catalogue photo. In reality it is more of a pale green-white colour.
"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 imposing vase is impressive for its large size and quality of stone, the evenness and clarity of which has been accentuated through the smoothly finished and undecorated surfaces. The finely-modelled mask handles and intricate openwork dragon finial provide pleasing aesthetic contrasts with the plain surface. A vase of this size, with similarly carved handles and knop, from the collection of G. Beatson Blair, was sold in our London rooms, 20th March 1979, lot 256, at Christie’s Hong Kong, 19th February 1988, lot 435, and in our New York rooms, 27th February 1981, lot 413; a slightly smaller one was sold in these rooms, 29th April 1992, lot 616; and a third vase, with multiple ringed handles on the body and neck, from the Manno Art Museum collection, was sold at Christie’s London, 21st June 2001, lo 114.

Large high quality jade boulders began to be sent as tribute gifts to the Qing Court during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, after the Qing army’s conquest of the north-western territories in the mid-18th century. These boulders, which came from the jade-rich territories of Khotan and Yarkand, were then selected to be carved by artisans working in the Palace Workshop, in the jade workshops of Suzhou or in those belonging to the Huai and Changlu administrations. The finished product was later presented to the court for approval before being displayed in the Palace.