Lot 3680
  • 3680

A JADEITE HANGING VASE AND COVER QING DYNASTY |

Estimate
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 HKD
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Description

  • including handle 22.5 cm, 8 7/8  in.; height with frame 32 cm, 12 5/8  in.
of archaistic you form, the flattened pear-shaped body rising from an oval foot to a tapered neck with a lipped rim, flanked by a pair of loop handles interlinked with a long arched handle, the body finely worked in shallow relief with an archaistic frieze with confronting winged beasts, above a band of upright petals, the domed cover surmounted by a finial of a Buddhist lion, the stone of a variegated green tone, wood stand

Condition

Overall very good condition with occasional minuscule nibbles to the extremities. There are some original tool marks, especially to the loops linked to the handle. The jadeite is slightly more translucent than suggested by 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."

Catalogue Note

Impeccably carved from a vibrant green boulder, this magnificent hanging vase is a rare and outstanding example of jadeite carved vessels of the Qianlong period. Its translucency and colour is displayed to its fullest potential through the brilliantly polished surface of the vase, accented with only a band of low-relief carving and cover modelled with a mythical creature in the round. Known in China as cuiyu, this stone was only introduced to the Qing court from the mines of Moguang following the conclusion of the campaign against Burma in 1769.  The superior qualities of the stone elevated its value above that of jade and it was thus selectively employed for court items. During the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns jadeite items were manufactured in Tengchong, Dali, and Kunming in Yunnan province, as well as in the workshops of the textile manufactories in Suzhou and Yangzhou, and the metal and jewel unit of the Imperial Household Workshops (Zaobanchu) inside the Forbidden City.

The outstanding workmanship of this vase is evident in the impeccably finished complex form of an integrated swing handle. The fashioning of jadeite plays a critical role in its beauty and value to a greater extent than most other gem materials.  As the stone measures 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness and has a tendency to undercut or crack due to its slightly more brittle nature than jade, it demands considerable lapidary expertise to produce exquisitely carved and well-polished pieces.

In its form and design this vase is typical of the Qianlong period in its reference to archaism. Although no other comparatively jadeite example appears to have been published, similar jade versions are known; see a Qianlong period celadon jade archaistic hanging vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 152; another celadon jade hanging vase, the cover similarly surmounted by a lion finial, but the body left undecorated, formerly in the collections of Edward Drummond Libbey and the Toledo Museum of Art, was sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2005, lot 1.

The evenness of tone of the jadeite stone from which this vase has been carved is notable. The evaluation of jadeite is similar to that of other gemstones in that it is based primarily on the 'Three Cs' – colour, clarity and cut. However, unlike most coloured stones, the fourth C (carat weight) is less important than the dimensions of the fashioned piece. Instead two further factors are also considered; the 'Two Ts' – translucency and texture. Colour is the most important factor in assessing the value of jadeite and top-quality pieces are pure green with an even, saturated hue and purity to the stone. Additionally, the absence of fractures, natural inclusions and a high level of transparency increase the value of the stone, together with the consistency of the grain size. Typically, texture and transparency are interrelated; the finer the grain the higher the transparency.