A GILT-PAINTED SPINACH JADE 'DRAGON' BOWL QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

finely carved with rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, picked out with gold on the interior with a frontal-view five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' above waves, with two pairs of dragons on the sides each confronting a 'flaming pearl' among cloud scrolls, the exterior outlined in gold with a band of lotus scrolls in between two lappet borders, with a keyfret border at the foot, the green stone with natural veining

There are some areas of restoration to the rim with some associated areas of re-gilding. There are also some minor areas of gilt loss throughout.
"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."

Jade bowls of this type are unusual, and are more commonly known gilded both on the interior and exterior with dragons, such as one, with a Qianlong mark and of the period, sold in these rooms, 23rd November 1965, lot 205; a pair, but with more flared rims and lacking the lappet border at the rim, sold at Christie's London, 9th June 1997, lot 229; and a further bowl of rounded form, from the Hunting Folger Deutsch collection, sold at Christie's New York, 26th March 2003, lot 35. See also a bowl with dragons on the interior but with cartouches decorated with birds on the exterior, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, illustrated in James C.S. Lin, The Immortal Stone. Chinese Jades from the Neolithic to the Twentieth Century, London, 2009, p. 126 (top left).