A white jade 'phoenix' loose-ring handled censer and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

Nagatani Inc., Chicago, 1970s.

Collection of Carolyn Moore (1923-2021), and thence by descent.

This exquisite jade incense burner from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) is inspired by the archaic bronze ritual food vessel, ding. It encapsulates the reverence for the past and expansion of political power in the Qianlong era. To cater to the Emperor's penchant for antiquities, vessels from the distant past inspired the creation of a wide range of jade carvings. With the Qing court capturing the jade-rich regions of Khotan and Yarkand in the mid-18th century, there was an increased supply of jade; sizeable high-quality boulders became available for making large vessels such as the present piece.

Compare a related celadon jade censer in the Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Jade in the Palace Museum, Taipei, 1969, pl. 33. Another related white jade censer from the Qing Court Collection is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware III, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 60. See also a white jade example in the Baur Collection, illustrated in Pierre-F. Schneeberger, The Baur Collection Geneva: Chinese Jades and Other Hardstones, Geneva, 1976, pl. B 65.