A PALE CELADON JADE VASE AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

of flattened baluster form, the waisted neck flanked with dragon handles suspending loose rings, the front side carved in shallow relief and gilded with scholars in a fenced garden admiring a scroll, and a table filled with various vessels beneath wutong, the reverse carved with a poem praising the Ming dynasty painting, Tongyin Bogutu by Chui Zizong, the domed cover with gently sloping edges, surmounted with a separately carved oval finial, the stone of an even pale celadon tone

Repair to one ring and a possible replaced finial. Minor nicks to the rims of the vase and cover. There are some flaws to the stone to the lower area of the reverse of the vase.
"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 is striking for its large size and well-preserved gilded design. Furthermore, the craftsmen has used two differing tones of gold inlay to create a most attractive and harmonious composition. 

Vases incised and filled in gilt are very rare, although a lobed vase attributed to the Qianlong reign, similarly decorated on one side with a landscape in gilt, the reverse with a lengthy inscription, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Compendium of Collections of the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 10, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 22. See also a vase decorated in gilt with a prunus tree, from the collection of His Majesty the King, published in Stanley Charles Nott, Chinese Jade, London, 1936, pl. XCVIII; and another with lotus, sold in our New York rooms, 19th/20th October 1988, lot 289.