清乾隆 黃玉仿古螭龍耳蓋瓶

of oval section, finely worked with an ovoid central section rising from a splayed foot to a flaring neck and rim, flanked along the sides by a pair of long openwork handles in the form of a stylised kui dragon with a sinuous body detailed with ruyi motifs, the vessel's body worked in low relief with pendent and upright trefoil motifs, all below an incised freize of upright plantain blades enclosing leiwen motifs collaring the neck, the cover with tapering sides flanked by openwork scroll flanges and surmounted by an oval finial resting atop a short constricted post, the stone of an attractive warm yellow colour with faint russet and white inclusions

In overall good condition. Minute nicks to the extremities as can be expected. The stone with some veining and inclusions, natural pitting to lower end of one handle.
"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."

黃玉質細凝透，光輝潤澤，琢淺浮雕仿古紋飾於器身，透雕魑龍耳，巧工臻技。

參考一件黃玉仿古式瓶，略大，瓶身飾蕉葉間綴饕餮紋，夔式卷葉雙耳，出自清宮舊藏，現存北京故宮博物院，錄於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集．玉器（下）》，香港，1995年，圖版148；一件六方觚式玉瓶，中段琢仿古紋，上下作蟬紋，2003年10月27日售於香港佳士得，編號826，再度於2014年10月8日售於香港蘇富比，編號3670。比較一件光素黃玉瓶，透雕仿古鳳耳，二度售於香港佳士得，1988年5月17日，編號555，及1996年4月29日，編號693，第三度於2007年5月15日售於倫敦佳士得，編號374。

明以降，黃玉深得珍視，明戲曲家高濂寫於《燕閒清賞》，「玉以甘黃為上，羊脂次之」。因黃玉料稀匱，褐色玉皮常得運用至雕件主體，如此瓶足、蓋，色澤相映，且足證此玉料珍罕。