A WHITE JADE ARCHAISTIC 'TAOTIE' INCENSE BURNER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

the rounded sides rising on three legs, flanked by a pair of animal mask handles suspending loose rings, the exterior worked in low relief with a band of stylised taotie masks, the domed cover similarly carved with archaistic scrolls and surmounted by a ruyi-shaped finial set with three loose rings, the stone of an even white tone

Sotheby’s London, 1st July 1969, lot 69.

The incense burner and cover are in overall good condition. There is a minuscule nick to the interior rim of the incense burner, rather insignificant, as well as some minor nibbling along the rims edges. The actual colour is good, and somewhat more bright, the polish more shiny, when compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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 follows the Song dynasty (960-1279) tradition of creatively reinterpreting archiahc ritual bronze designs into relatively small jade vessels. In the case of the present censer, the taotie masks have been rendered with lingzhi-shaped mouths, a motif repeated on the cover. While tripod censers carved with taotie masks are numerous, those with multiple loop rings on the cover are unusual; compare a slightly larger censer of similar form, but the cover with further toatie masks and with a dragon knob, sold in our New York rooms, 23rd April 1987, lot 191; one  also carved with phoenix-shaped handles, from the Avery Brundage collection, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated in René-Yvon Lefebvre d’Argencé, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, pl. LIV; and another sold in these rooms, 31st October 2004, lot 10.