A LARGE AND FINELY CARVED CANTON IVORY VASE AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

of tall baluster shape, intricately carved around the body in a high-relief with a continuous panorama of a thriving community, depicting farmers, merchants, and figures on horseback and oxen, all dressed in typical Ming garments, among a tiered landscape punctuated with cliffs, pine, paulownia and wutong trees, temples, pagodas, and gates, between folded lotus lappets at the shoulder and foot, above a waisted section at the foot carved with lotus scrolls, the waisted neck carved with four friezes of interior scenes, exhibiting in detail figures and dogs interacting among Ming-style furniture, below a low-relief border of ruyi-head lappets, the short upright neck finely carved with stylized keyfret design, the motif repeated on the bottom of the cover as well as the foot, the cover surmounted by an elaborate finial carved with further figures on a pagoda and tree-filled summit, the interior of the cover incised with a melon borne on a scrolling vine, the base with an apocryphal Qianlong mark among incised melon design, silver-inlaid wood stand, fitted wood box (4)

The cover has been reglued and has two visible splits running vertical up the carved area. The underside of the cover with three associated age cracks radiating from the central 'melon' inset (nerve of the ivory), the longest 1 inch. One small area of tiny frits on the pine tree on the finial. The vase is in very good condition, beautifully carved and undercut, with only two fine age cracks radiating from the central 'melon' inset on the base, the largest L-shaped and approximately 3/4 inch.
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.