A WHITE JADE CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the compressed spherical body supported on three animal feet surmounted with animal masks, set with two stylised dragon-head handles, carved in shallow relief with taotie, below a thin band of key-fret at the rim, the domed cover similarly carved with taotie above a thin band of key-fret, the stone of an even white to pale celadon tone, with areas of white inclusions

This censer and cover is in good condition, but does have a very small shallow chip to the upper surface of the rim (1.5mm by 1.5mm). There is a flaw running from the rim diagonally down the body and another flaw running horizontally next to this. There is also a flaw running through the horn of one of the dragon-head handles and another short diagonal flaw (2cm) running through the rim.
"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 censer is modelled after archaic bronze censers, gui, which were occasionally cast with animal-head feet. See for example two gui attributed to the Western Zhou period, in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes, vol. IIB, Cambridge, 1990, pls 55 and 56.

 

A smaller jade censer of this type similarly raised on three feet, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Compendium of Collection in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 10, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 112; and a spinach green example with a dragon-shaped knop on the cover, was sold in our New York rooms, 28th February 1980, lot 248. Compare also a gui carved in a similar style, but with a short foot, in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, published in Jade Wares Collected by Tianjin Museum, Beijing, 2002, pl. 195; and another, with a Qianlong mark and of the period,  included in the exhibition  A Romance with Jade from the De An Tang collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, pl. 121.