清末 翡翠浮雕「饕餮」紋雙龍耳活環獅鈕蓋爐

of compressed globular form supported on three short cabriole legs issuing from lion masks, the bombé sides carved in low relief with taotie below a flanged rim flanked by two elaborately carved mythical-beast handles, each detailed grasping a pearl in its jaws and suspending a loose ring below the chin, the fitted cover carved in openwork with two lion cubs playing with a ball near a peony branch, all raised on a dais surrounded by a rounded gadrooned border, the translucent watery stone of yellowish-green tones varying from smoky-grey to bright apple-green and finished with a lustrous polish, carved wood stand

The censer and cover are overall in extremely good condition with only a few typical minor nibbles along the carved edges. There stone is more golden yellow, less overall green compared to the catalogue illustration, highlighted with bright apple-green streaks.
"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."

Jadeite ranks among the rarest and most precious materials to be employed by craftsmen in the Qing dynasty. Regular supplies of the stone did not occur until the normalisation of previously hostile relations between China and Myanmar in 1784 and it gained immediate popularity within the court. Jadeite was praised for its translucency which gave an impression of being like liquid when highly polished. Furthermore, it was observed that the stone appeared to absorb rather than reflect light, enabling it to almost glow from within. As a harder and more brittle stone than nephrite jade and with an unusual colouration, early jadeite carvings are characterised by uneven glassy polish and cruder detailing as the abrasives and tools used for nephrite were not suitable on this new stone. However the highly skilled craftsmen at the Palace Workshops were quickly able to overcome the difficulties to produce impressive and pristinely fashioned pieces such as the present censer.

Censers of similar form and cover but with various carved decoration include one carved from a mottled green and black stone, from the C.C.E. Ritting, Charles Stanley Nott and Vint Family collections, sold in our London rooms, 11^th February 1938, and again at Christie’s New York,  30^th May 2012, lot 4323; a greyish-lavender example sold at Christie’s New York, 16^th September 2011, lot 1437; and another fashioned from a light green stone, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 2^nd October 1991, lot 1537. Compare also censers of this form and archaistic decoration, but with knopped covers, such as one sold in our New York rooms, 25^th September 1986, lot 233; and another sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1^st June 2011, lot 3790.