A RARE IMPERIAL HUNTING KNIFE WITH GILT BRONZE AND JADE HANDLE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the gilded scabbard densely decorated with floral openwork scroll, bound  at either end by bands of red and clear glass paste cabochon, the top of the sheath further decorated with a six-petal floret in glass paste, attached with a suspension loop at the end, the knife adorned with an evenly translucent white jade handle above a matching red glass band, the blade finely incised with a stylised dragon chasing a flaming pearl with the original gilding still visible

The overall condition is quite good. Seven of the glass paste insets have fallen out . A few of the red glass insets are chipped. There is some light wear to the gilding on the knofe blade around the dragons. The white jade handle has a few russet veins in 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."

Similar knives with jade handles include a gold knife and turquoise, coral and lazurite-inlaid gold sheath included in the exhibition Splendours of China's Forbidden City, The Field Museum, Chicago, 2004, cat. no. 248; another with an intricately carved wood scabbard depicting a flowering lotus scroll, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, included in the exhibition Bamboo Wood Carvings and the East, Spink and Son Ltd., London, 1979, cat. no. 277, and sold in these rooms, 19^th November 1984, lot 63; a third with a diaper-carved bamboo scabbard sold at Christie's New York, 21^st September 2004, lot 76. See also a pair of knives with carved jade handles and scabbards sold in our London rooms, 7^th June 1994, lot 138.