- 39
A CELADON AND BROWN JADE 'MAKARA' VASE QING DYNASTY
Estimate
600,000 - 800,000 HKD
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Description
- jade
powerfully modelled in the form of two makara leaping from a bed of swirling waves, each detailed with large bulging eyes below bushy eyebrows and curled whiskers, the mouth depicted agape showing sharp teeth and hollowed to form the flower receptacle, further detailed with a scaly body and a pronounced spine, the stone of a celadon-green tone with patches of brown
Condition
The fangs on one side of each makara have been lightly polished. Apart from other minute nibbling along the extremities, the vase group is in very good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Carved to capture a dynamic sense of movement, this piece is notable for the finely rendered details as seen in the scales, fins and tails of the two fish. The craftsman has skilfully incorporated the natural russet inclusions of the stone to add a naturalistic depth and texture to the piece. This carving captures the moment a carp has successfully swum against the current of the Yellow River and leaped up at the Dragon Gate to transform into a powerful dragon.
A related carving of this subject, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Treasured Masterpieces from the National Palace Museum Taipei, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, 2014, cat. no. 194; another in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, is illustrated in René-Yvon Lefebvre d’Argencé, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, Tokyo, 1977, pl. LXX; and a third included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, London, 1975, cat. no. 421, was sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1210. See also a jade carving of two conjoined dragon-fish of the same size, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 49.
A related carving of this subject, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Treasured Masterpieces from the National Palace Museum Taipei, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, 2014, cat. no. 194; another in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, is illustrated in René-Yvon Lefebvre d’Argencé, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, Tokyo, 1977, pl. LXX; and a third included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, London, 1975, cat. no. 421, was sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1210. See also a jade carving of two conjoined dragon-fish of the same size, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 49.