A FINE WHITE JADE CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE. BIDnow ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE IS NOT AVALIABLE.

the short rounded sides carved in low-relief of a band of two archaistic taotie masks outlined in thin beaded edges rising to a lipped rim, further flanked by a pair of wide archaistic scroll handles, all above three cabriole legs issuing from the mouths of monstrous beasts, the cover similarly decorated with a band of archaistic taotie masks below three recumbent rams carved in high-relief, surmounted by a large knop carved with a ring of stylized lappets, the stone of an even pale celadon-white tone

The overall condition is very good. The jade is nearly flawless with one vein subtlely hidden in a carved section on the censer. The handle has two minor nicks to the edges. The interior base of the neck has a 5mm cut in the jade from the time of production. The cover has a short vein well hidden beneath the lower section of the knop. The actual colour of the jade is quite close to the colour in the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Continuing the Song Dynasty tradition of carving jade vessels in the form of archaic bronzes, the Qing Dynasty, adapted classical forms and put their own decorative elements on them. The present lot incorporates the archaic taotie animal masks on the body, but rather than using bovines on the cover, as often found on Zhou Dynasty bronzes, the Qing artisans replaced them with rams. 

The three rams on the cover form the rebus San yang qi tai ('Spring comes in its full form') suggests the auspicious beginning of a new year. The three goats on the cover play on the character yang, meaning a positive force of nature, which sounds like the word for goat. In the Chinese lunar calendar, san yang stands for the first month when Chinese New Year occurs. On the bagua, the eight Trigrams, three continuous bars represent san yang. This decorative motif can be found on porcelains, paintings, jade carvings, bamboo and other materials.

See a white jade archaistic censer with rams on the cover, illustrated in The Jade-Carving Art in the Ch'ing Dynasty, National Museum of History, Taipei, 1996, pp. 80-81. Also compare a pair of archaistic tripod ding with three recumbent bovines on the cover, illustrated in ibid., pp. 72-73.