A MAGNIFICENT LARGE CARVED SPINACH JADE 'DRAGON' BRUSH WASHER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the body of compressed ovoid form rising from a slightly concave base to an incurved rim, carved around the exterior in high relief with five scaly dragons in pursuit of flaming pearls, each dragon writhing amidst deeply carved ruyi-head cloud scrolls above a tumultuous foaming wave base, the stone of dark green tone with small areas of lighter green veining

This magnificent jade washer is in very good condition. The stone is of a fairly even green tone with the exception of two small russet inclusions (one to a rock on the side of the vessel, and one to the wave base, and a black vein running diagonnaly through the stone and across the base.
"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."

This magnificent brushwasher is impressive for its immense size and the dynamic rendering of the complex design of five dragons chasing flaming pearls. Stylistically, this piece belongs to the group of jade washers that derives from the famous 'black jade' wine bowl in the Round Fort in Beijing, created during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) and once considered one of the wonders of the Mongol court. This black jade vessel is also carved with dragons among clouds and waves, and is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, p. 22, fig. 2.

Smaller brushwashers of this type are more commonly known; see a white jade example made for the Imperial Court and still in Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 6, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pl. 333; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9^th October 2007, lot 1335; and a spinach-green jade washer sold in these rooms, 10^th November 2004, lot 572, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 29^th May 2007, lot 1401.