清十八世紀 青白玉雕貘形器

finely modeled shown standing foursquare with its head tilted slightly upwards, the back of the hollow body with an opening and two loops connected to its neck, with a fitted cover, decorated overall in shallow relief with archaistic scrolls, all supported on short stocky legs and hoofed feet, the stone of a pale celadon with white mottling (2)

Robert von Hirsch收藏，1977年前，後家族傳承

The ring on the cover of the vessel has broken off, so the cover is no longer attached to the vessel. There are two small nicks on one back foot and one nick to the other back foot and two nicks to the edge of the tail and a small nick to one inner ear.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This finely carved tapir-form vessel was modeled after the Warring States or Han archaic bronze vessel types, usually about twice this size. A bronze example of this earlier period is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, illustrated in Special Exhibition of Shang and Chou Dynasty Bronze Wine vessels, Taipei 1989, pl. 66. 

The functions of this jade vessel appears to be decorative, as the integral hinged lid is not designed to remain open without being held which limits the uses of this miniaturized version as discussed by Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 154.  

See a related white jade tapir carving, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th April 2013, lot 3203.