- 2716
A CELADON JADE 'DRAGON' VASE, MEIPING QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
Estimate
400,000 - 600,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
of slender tapering form resting on a slightly sunken base, finely and skilfully carved in high relief with two qilong dragons clambering on the sides, their slender, sinuous bodies with limbs outstretched sweeping back to long curling bifurcated tails, their facial features well defined in meticulous detail, the stone of a pale celadon tone throughout and finished with a smooth and even polish
Condition
There are tiny expected nibbles to the edges of the carving, but otherwise the piece is in very good condition overall. There is some natural white veining to the stone
"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."
"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
The high quality of workmanship, undercutting and finishing of the present vase suggest that it was produced for the Qing court. Moreover, it is very rare to find a jade vase of meiping shape. Jade vases are much more commonly found in pear shape, since the hollowing-out through the mouth of the shoulder of the meiping requires particular skills and represents itself a tour-de-force. The shape is borrowed from porcelain and was first perfected during the Song dynasty, to be reinvented during the successive Ming and Qing dynasties.
Compare a related white jade vase of gu shape also carved in high relief but with nine qilong dragons, illustrated in A Romance with Jade, From the De An Tang Collection, Hong Kong, 2004, cat. no. 129, which was sold in these rooms, 10th April 2006, lot 1506; and another sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2007, lot 639. See also a jade rhyton carved in high relief with three qilong dragons, from the T.Y. Chao Collection, sold in these rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 338.
Compare a related white jade vase of gu shape also carved in high relief but with nine qilong dragons, illustrated in A Romance with Jade, From the De An Tang Collection, Hong Kong, 2004, cat. no. 129, which was sold in these rooms, 10th April 2006, lot 1506; and another sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2007, lot 639. See also a jade rhyton carved in high relief with three qilong dragons, from the T.Y. Chao Collection, sold in these rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 338.