Lot 133
  • 133

AN ARCHAISTIC SPINACH-GREEN JADE BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

Estimate
500,000 - 700,000 HKD
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Description

  • 15.9 cm, 6 1/4  in.
of square section, the cover with straight sides rising to a flat top with a key-fret incised canted border, enclosing a superbly worked and stylised quatrefoil accentuated with scrollwork, key-fret bands and ruyi motifs, each of the straight sides decorated with a taotie mask, the box with a constricted tall plain flange, the centre of the base gilt-incised with a four-character reign mark, the stone of a rich spinach-green colour with faint white veins and dark speckles, wood stand

Condition

The box and cover are in very good condition with just expected minute nibbling to the edges. There are natural veins and areas of pitting to the stone.
"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

Exquisitely carved with a geometric petal motif inspired by designs from the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, spinach-green jade boxes of this type and with Qianlong marks and of the period are unusual. Compare a box carved with a related motif but lacking the reign mark, sold at Christie’s London, 3rd November 1969, lot 158, and again in our Paris rooms, 22nd June 2017, lot 5; and a white jade example of circular form, but attributed to the Jiaqing period (1796-1820), sold in our London rooms, 27th June 1974, lot 49. For the prototype of this design see a quatrefoil jade disc together with a jade tubular cup and a bronze stand, recovered together from the tomb of the King of Nanyue at Xianggangshan, Guangdong province, and illustrated in Peter Y.K. Lam, Jades from the Tomb of the King of Nanyue, Guangzhou, 1991, pls 127-129.