A WHITE JADE INCENSE HOLDER AND SPINACH-GREEN JADE STAND QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

well carved in high-relief and pierced with a continuous landscape scene of scholars engaged in various leisurely pursuits within a rocky gorge containing a multi-storied pavilion amid pine and paulownia trees, two unfurling a scroll while another watches on, one taking a stroll and another carrying a basket filled with lingzhi fungus, with a waterfall gushing down from above, and swirling clouds above, together with a fitted spinach-green jade stand incised with a keyfret above a band of spirals, attached to a later gilt-bronze stand supported on four ruyi-shaped feet

There are small chips to the mouthrim and small nibbles to the footrim of the incense holder. There are natural fissures and inclusions to the stone. But otherwise the overall condition of this piece is good.
"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."

Carved and pierced jade incense holders such as the present example appear to be based on carved bamboo holders of the 17th and 18th century such as the holders illustrated in Ip Yee and Laurence C. S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Hong Kong, 1982, Vol. II, nos. 74-86, pp. 260-274.  It is interesting to note that such carvings, in addition to carved bamboo brushpots and mountains, appear to have been translated to jade, particularly during the Qianlong period.  

Four similar jade examples of circular section in the Qing court collection, are illustrated in Jadeware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1995, nos. 35-38, pp. 45-49.  A pair of incense holders of white jade with spinach-green covers and stands, of square section with rounded corners similar to the present piece, is illustrated in Michael Knight et al, Chinese Jades, Ming Dynasty to Early 20th Century from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Hong Kong, 2007, no. 353, p. 307.  Another pair, with white jade covers and bases, depicting Daoist figures in mountainous landscapes, is illustrated in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, no. 98, p. 118.

Compare also the white jade incense holder with spinach-green base and cover, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 25th October 1993, lot 1127, and another, sold in our New York rooms, 22nd March 2001, lot 57.