A WHITE JADE DRAGON AND PHOENIX VASE AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the flattened baluster body delicately carved in relief to the front face with a round panel enclosing a ferocious scaly dragon writhing amongst scrollwork, the reverse with a similar panel enclosing a phoenix, the waisted neck framed with elaborate phoenix-head handles supporting rings, with a thin archaic band and key-fret below the rim, and similar bands above the spreading foot, the domed cover with further archaistic and keyfret bands below the oval knop, the stone of a pale celadon/white colour with a dark brown flaw to one side, inlaid wood stand 

Collection of a noble French family.
S. Bulgari, Rome.

This impressive vase and cover is in good condition with a very minor polished chip to the rim of the cover and a large dark flaw to the left side running to the foot.
"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 impressive for its large form and delicately carved design expertly fashioned in low relief. It belongs to a group of jade vessels made under the Qianlong Emperor that successfully combine archaic forms and designs with contemporary styles in response to the Emperor’s eclectic taste. The craftsman of the present piece has successfully created a highly original and contemporary object by combining the archaic bronze hu form with dragon and phoenix roundels, and zoomorphic masks on the sides that feature a ‘C’-shaped design which recalls ‘C’-scrolls of European rocaille designs.

Compare a white jade vase of similar form and size, also modelled with phoenix handles but carved in relief with birds in a landscape, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji [The complete collection of Chinese jades], vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 208; another flanked with animal-mask handles and decorated on the body with deer, from the collections of N.B. Pilcher and Alan and Simone Hartman, illustrated in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 141, and sold in these rooms, 30th October 1987, lot 297; and a third, carved with a landscape and attributed to the 19th century, from the collection of Mr and Mrs Lawrence Keane, Boston, sold in our New York rooms, 15th/16th September 2015, lot 180.